aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈa-kwə-ˌdəkt 

1

a

: a conduit for water

especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

b

: a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow

2

: a canal or passage in a part or organ

Did you know?

Based partly on the Latin ducere, meaning "lead" or "conduct," the word aqueduct named an ancient civil-engineering marvel. Ancient Rome's aqueduct system, an extraordinary feat of engineering, brought water to the city from as far as 57 miles (92 kilometers) away. Only a portion of the Roman aqueducts utilized the familiar stone arch; most were underground conduits made of stone or terra-cotta pipe. Modern aqueduct systems now often use reinforced concrete for large water mains, and ductile iron, a stronger and more elastic type of cast iron, for smaller underground pipes.

Synonyms of aqueduct

• canal

Examples of aqueduct in a Sentence

marveled at the ancient Roman aqueducts that still carry water to distant villages

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the dilapidated state, the couple fell in love with its ancient olive trees, a creek and a network of aqueducts winding through the fields. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026

The rolling landscape, nestled between a nature preserve and a cattle ranch, had silvery groves of ancient olive trees, a meandering creek, and a network of antique aqueducts snaking through the fields. —Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026

The mussels’ tiny larvae have drifted down canals and aqueducts of the State Water Project and have been detected as far south as Bakersfield, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

The tunnel would create a second route to transport water from new intakes on the Sacramento River to the south side of the Delta, where pumps send water into the aqueducts of the State Water Project. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin aquaeductus, from aquae (genitive of aqua) + ductus act of leading — more at duct

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for aqueduct

• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• abduct
• conduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• obstruct
• bucked
• chucked

Kids Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

1

: an artificial channel for water

especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

2

: a structure that carries the water of a canal across a river or hollow

Etymology

from Latin aquaeductus "aqueduct," from aquae, form of aqua "water," and ductus "act of conducting or leading" — related to duct

Medical Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

: a canal or passage in a part or organ