transpiration

noun

tran·​spi·​ra·​tion ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce transpiration (audio)
: the act or process or an instance of transpiring
especially : the passage of watery vapor from a living body (as of a plant) through a membrane or pores
transpirational adjective

Examples of transpiration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some water is also taken up by plants before evaporating into the atmosphere, a process known as transpiration. Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 Share [Findings] The decreasing transpiration of plants, a result of rising carbon dioxide levels, was partly to blame for recent heat waves in northern latitudes. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Trump has also targeted McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, who served as his transpiration secretary during his term in office. Mitch McConnell, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 The region experienced low rainfall, but the researchers found that persistent heat was the primary driver of the drought due to evaporation and transpiration from plants. Evan Bush, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2023 The reason for this is that when the atmosphere warms, most leaves cool themselves by releasing water — a process called transpiration. Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2023 Roses are sun lovers but temperatures over 85 degrees affect the plant growth processes of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023 While transpiration and soil moisture levels may be some of the other culprits responsible for water loss, one of the largest unknowns is sublimation, said Ian Billick, the executive director of RMBL. WIRED, 29 July 2023 By reducing relative humidity, plant transpiration increases, aiding in the uptake of calcium when sufficient amounts are present in soil. oregonlive, 29 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transpiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of transpiration was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near transpiration

Cite this Entry

“Transpiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transpiration. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transpiration

noun
tran·​spi·​ra·​tion tran(t)s-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce transpiration (audio)
: the process by which plants give off water vapor through the stomata in their leaves

Medical Definition

transpiration

noun
tran·​spi·​ra·​tion tran(t)s-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce transpiration (audio)
: the passage of watery vapor from a living body through a membrane or pores
transpirational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on transpiration

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