water cycle

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As temperature rises, the water cycle accelerates, leading to more floods and droughts. Kenneth J. Davis, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025 The Pacific Northwest region, beginning hundreds of miles north of the Sierras at the Oregon border, sends no water to Los Angeles, aside from whatever arrives over time in the form of rain as part of the natural water cycle. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 The researchers found that several factors, including climate change, are disrupting Earth’s natural water cycle, upsetting how moisture circulates between the ground, oceans and atmosphere. Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 July 2025 The link between sea-level rise and the loss of water locked up in the ground is a consequence of throwing the planet’s water cycle into chaos. Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for water cycle

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water cycle was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Water cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20cycle. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

water cycle

noun

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