water table

noun

1
: a stringcourse or similar member when projecting so as to throw off water
2
: the upper limit of the portion of the ground wholly saturated with water

Examples of water table in a Sentence

Heavy rainfall has caused the water table to rise.
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.
And the subway system is already surrounded by water, built below a water table that’s also being pushed higher by sea level rise. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025 This can lower water tables, leading to deeper drilling to get even more water, which in turn results in higher costs. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Tunneling too close to the river could risk breaching the water table and filling a karst formation, or underground cave — potentially triggering leaks of construction materials into the waterway. Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2025 Citizens Energy Group will provide water, Calderon said, so there shouldn't be any impact on the water table supplying wells. Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for water table

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Water table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20table. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

water table

noun
: the upper limit of the portion of the ground completely soaked with water

More from Merriam-Webster on water table

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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