water cycle

noun

Definition of water cycle

: hydrologic cycle In the water cycle, water evaporates, condenses, falls as precipitation, and eventually evaporates again.— Timothy Cooney et al. As they have for thousands of years, the rhythms of wildlife migration and reproduction as well as human agriculture and grazing activities are inseparable from that of the yearly water cycle.— Peter Warshall … run by solar energy that helps cause winds, energizes plants, and powers the water cycle.— David M. Armstrong et al.

Examples of water cycle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The climate crisis is ultimately intensifying the water cycle, not only making dry periods drier and wet periods wetter. — Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 1 Aug. 2022 In their study, Andrault and Bolfan-Casanova show that mantle rain could be enough to keep the deep water cycle in balance. — Theo Nicitopoulos, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2022 Research shows that as the planet gets warmer, the water cycle is changing. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2022 If this deep water cycle between the mantle and the surface is in balance, Earth’s sea level remains stable. — Theo Nicitopoulos, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2022 The global water cycle is amplifying faster than expected. — Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 Research has shown that global warming is intensifying the water cycle, leading to more severe droughts and floods. — Courtney Subramanian, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 Deforestation, forest fires and global temperature rises have brought on longer dry seasons that are irreversibly breaking the water cycle. — Gabriela Barzallo, refinery29.com, 24 Apr. 2022 The new audio book is environmentally themed and celebrates nature’s water cycle. — oregonlive, 20 Apr. 2022 See More

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.