waterworks

plural noun

wa·​ter·​works ˈwȯ-tər-ˌwərks How to pronounce waterworks (audio)
ˈwä-
1
: the system of reservoirs, channels, mains, and pumping and purifying equipment by which a water supply is obtained and distributed (as to a city)
2
: an ornamental fountain or cascade
3
: the shedding of tears : tears

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The waterworks will continue to sample and test water samples near the Ohio River water intake. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2023 Whoever comes up on top, Donna is preparing for a waterworks show of both happy and sad tears. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2023 A Tale of the Old Dominion from 1889, a maroon envelope too wet to open, a pamphlet from a 1888 waterworks project, a Victorian-era British coin, and a soggy envelope holding a ghostly photograph of the master stonemason who built the plinth. Peter Weber, The Week, 23 Dec. 2021 The circa-1877 Pump House No. 1 still stands on the north end of the park as a reminder of the waterworks system owned by banker George Brackenridge, the park’s namesake. Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Nov. 2021 The bureau controls the flow of the river with waterworks including the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona state line and Lake Powell formed by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Arizona-Utah line. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Dec. 2022 There were hugs with Bryce Young’s parents and various Alabama VIPs but the waterworks flowed when Charles Kelly came in for the real thing. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 1 Jan. 2023 The bureau controls the flow of the river with waterworks including the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona state line and Lake Powell formed by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Arizona-Utah line. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Dec. 2022 The bureau controls the flow of the river with waterworks including the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona state line and Lake Powell formed by the Glen Canyon Dam on the Arizona-Utah line. Ken Ritter, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Dec. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waterworks was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near waterworks

Cite this Entry

“Waterworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterworks. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

waterworks

noun plural
wa·​ter·​works ˈwȯt-ər-ˌwərks How to pronounce waterworks (audio)
ˈwät-
: a system of reservoirs, pumps, and pipes for supplying water (as to a city)

More from Merriam-Webster on waterworks

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