aqueduct
AK-wuh-dukt
/ˈækwədʌkt/
An artificial channel for conveying water, typically in the form of a bridge across a valley or other gap.
While it can be a pipe, it most famously refers to the grand stone bridge structures of the Roman era.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'aquaeductus,' meaning 'a leading of water.' The Romans were the masters of these, using gravity and precise slopes to move water over hundreds of miles.
Word relationships
- watercourse: A watercourse can be natural (a stream); an aqueduct is always man-made.
Commonly confused with
- conduit: A conduit is a general term for any pipe/channel; an aqueduct is specifically for large-scale water transport.
Collocations
- Roman aqueduct
- stone aqueduct
- modern aqueduct
Example sentences
- "The Romans built vast aqueducts to supply their cities with fresh water from distant springs." History
- "The California Aqueduct carries water hundreds of miles to the arid south." Modern Infrastructure
Memory hook
AQUA means water. DUCT means lead. It leads the water. Water's bridge.
When not to use
Do not use for a simple garden hose or a small plumbing pipe.
Fun facts
- Some Roman aqueducts are still in use today, nearly 2,000 years after they were built.
Explore more words
irrigation, arch, canyon, hydroelectric, infrastructure, fjord
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