often attributive
1
a
: the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H2O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C, has a maximum density at 4°C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent
b
: a natural mineral water
—usually used in plural
2
b
: a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose (such as navigation)
c
waters plural
(1)
: a band of seawater abutting on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the control of that sovereignty
(2)
: the sea of a particular part of the earth
d
: water supply
threatened to turn off the water
3
: travel or transportation on water
we went by water
4
: the level of water at a particular state of the tide : tide
5
: liquid containing or resembling water: such as
a(1)
: a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water
(2)
: a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance compare ammonia water
b
archaic
: a distilled fluid (as an essence)
especially
: a distilled alcoholic liquor
c
: a watery fluid (such as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body
d
: amniotic fluid
also
: bag of waters
6
a
: the degree of clarity and luster of a precious stone
b
: degree of excellence
a scholar of the first water
7
8
a
: stock not representing assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning power
b
: fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that give a stock an unrealistic book value
watered; watering; waters
1
: to moisten, sprinkle, or soak with water
water the lawn
2
: to supply with water for drink
water cattle
3
: to supply water to
lands watered by the river
4
: to treat with or as if with water
specifically
: to impart a lustrous appearance and wavy pattern to (cloth) by calendering
5
a
: to dilute by the addition of water
—often used with down
water down the punch
b
: to add to the aggregate par value of (securities) without a corresponding addition to the assets represented by the securities
1
: to form or secrete water or watery matter (such as tears or saliva)
2
: to get or take water: such as
a
: to take on a supply of water
the boat docked to water
b
: to drink water
Synonyms
Examples of water in a Sentence
Noun
Would you like a glass of water?
There's water dripping from the ceiling.
The kids love playing in the water.
A stick was floating on the water.
They like to vacation near the water.
We are sailing in international waters.
They were fishing in Canadian waters.
Verb
We need to water the lawn.
They fed and watered the horses in the barn.
My eyes were watering as I chopped the onions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
There are 35 campsites (tent and RV) at the park’s Kilpatrick Hammock Campground, which is outfitted with water, electricity, and an accessible restroom with showers and laundry.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2024
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
On the ground around Tubac, between Tucson and Nogales, there’s a healthy cottonwood forest watered by a slender ribbon of crystalline water.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for water 
Noun
Spray the colony with soapy water or leave a bowl of soapy water near a light source where the ladybugs gather.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
There are 35 campsites (tent and RV) at the park’s Kilpatrick Hammock Campground, which is outfitted with water, electricity, and an accessible restroom with showers and laundry.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
If conditions turn dry, be prepared to water new sod daily.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
On the ground around Tubac, between Tucson and Nogales, there’s a healthy cottonwood forest watered by a slender ribbon of crystalline water.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for water
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to water
Dictionary Entries Near water
Cite this Entry
“Water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major part of all living material and that is an odorless and tasteless compound having two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen per molecule
2
plural
: an area of seawater bordering on and under the control of a country
sailing Canadian waters
3
: travel or transportation on water
came by water
4
: the level of water at a particular state of the tide : tide
5
: a liquid containing or resembling water
especially
: a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body
waterless
adjective
-ləs
water
2 of 2 verb1
: to wet or supply with water
water horses
water the lawn
2
: to weaken by or as if by the addition of water
someone watered down the punch
3
: to form or give off water or watery matter (as tears or saliva)
smog makes my eyes water
Medical Definition
1
: the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H2O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0°C (32°F) and boils at 100°C (212°F), has a maximum density at 4°C (39°F) and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent
2
: liquid containing or resembling water: as
a(1)
: a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water
(2)
: a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance see ammonia water
b
: a watery fluid (as tears or urine) formed or circulating in a living body
c
: amniotic fluid
—often used in plural
also
: bag of waters
water
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to form or secrete water or watery matter (as tears or saliva)
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