irrigation

noun

ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

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

2

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

Examples of irrigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres. —Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026

Coloradans may have heard about rain barrels that homeowners can use for yard irrigation, but the state has also authorized up to 10 pilot programs for large-scale rainwater harvesting. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 June 2026

The best time to water is early in the morning, so the blooms dry quickly if they are splashed by irrigation. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

First came a membrane, then a drainage layer, a ventilation system with irrigation and a root zone in a sand and soil mixture. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for irrigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

irrigation

noun

ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən 

: an act or process of irrigating