water cycle

noun

Updated on: 3 May 2018

Definition of water cycle

: hydrologic cycle

Recent Examples of water cycle from the Web

While these two seas aren't the only areas where surface water cycles to the bottom, their loss has the potential to greatly weaken the Atlantic's circulation.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Research hints at tipping point in the Atlantic’s currents," 14 Mar. 2018
However, climate change has disrupted the Earth’s hydrological cycle (water cycle), changing when, where, and how much precipitation falls.

— National Geographic, "From Not Enough to Too Much, the World’s Water Crisis Explained," 22 Mar. 2018
Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods.

— shane croucher, Newsweek, "World Water Day 2018: Mind-Blowing Facts About the Lifeblood of Planet Earth," 21 Mar. 2018
Figuring out where the ice is hiding could tell us a lot about the planet's climate history and something about Mars' current water cycle.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Large sheets of ice may have been spotted on Mars," 11 Jan. 2018
Topics include the water cycle, water pressure, heating water, efficient vs. low cost vs. green, water reuse, plumbing, the business of water, water rules and plumbing history.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Plumber puts lively spin on new water book," 13 Feb. 2018
Children will learn about the water cycle, conservation, plant adaptations and more.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Art guild picks Member of the Year ...community news," 29 Jan. 2018
Robotic missions have also revealed Titan has a similar liquid process to the water cycle on Earth, but with a different chemical compound: methane, the main ingredient of natural gas.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Ambitious Plan to Fly a Drone Over Saturn’s Moon," 20 Dec. 2017
The exhibition explores the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality.

— michelle matthews | mmatthews@al.com, AL.com, "Things to do in Mobile, Dec. 24-30," 24 Dec. 2017

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