irrigation

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noun ir·ri·ga·tion \ ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən \

Definition of irrigation

1 :the therapeutic flushing of a body part with a stream of liquid

2 :the watering of land by artificial means to foster plant growth

Recent Examples of irrigation from the Web

They are spread to new leaf or fruit surfaces by splashing rain or irrigation and wind, and give rise to new lesions.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Sickly leaves, falling fruit signal common disease in crab apples," 14 Aug. 2017
Hailed as a feat of American ingenuity, the dam provides electricity and irrigation for agriculture in what was once an arid high desert plateau.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "What I did on my summer vacation," 11 Aug. 2017
But ancient groups who lived in the region built sophisticated irrigation systems that allowed them to conserve precious water and conduct large-scale farming.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Byzantine Wine Press Found in Israeli Desert," 2 Aug. 2017
Drip irrigation is preferred; water remaining after overhead watering could create favorable conditions for foliar pathogens.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Growing iceberg lettuce takes time and cool weather," 28 July 2017
The system was complete with grow lights, timers, irrigation, fertilization and more, the sheriff said.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Scottsboro man charged with 28 counts of child pornography," 25 July 2017
Much of the $72 million renovation focused on updating the complex’ almost-medieval irrigation and drainage system that had previously resulted in frequent flooding.

— peter kiefer, Billboard, "L.A. Officials Herald 'Transformative,' Newly Renovated Ford Amphitheater," 15 July 2017
Dams have also caused an increase in schistosomiasis in many countries, because snails live in the reservoirs and irrigation channels.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Pesticides could hike risk of catching a parasitic worm," 14 July 2017
Another big ticket item on Tuesday's agenda is for $488,660 for water storage tanks to be used for irrigation at the sports complex at Cedar Lane in Creswell.

— The Aegis, "Another roundabout in the works for Forest Hill," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'irrigation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of irrigation

1612

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

IRRIGATION Defined for Kids

irrigation

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noun ir·ri·ga·tion \ ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən \

Definition of irrigation for Students

:an act or process of supplying with water or cleaning with a flow of liquid

Learn More about irrigation

See words that rhyme with irrigation Spanish Central: Translation of irrigation Nglish: Translation of irrigation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of irrigation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irrigation

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irrigation

Definition of irrigation

Recent Examples of irrigation from the Web

First Known Use of irrigation

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

IRRIGATION Defined for Kids

irrigation

Definition of irrigation for Students

Learn More about irrigation

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irrigation

Definition of irrigation

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First Known Use of irrigation

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IRRIGATION Defined for Kids

irrigation

Definition of irrigation for Students

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