irrigation
ih-rih-GAY-shun
/ˌɪr.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
the supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels.
Implies a human-made system rather than relying solely on natural rainfall.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'irrigatus', meaning 'led into' or 'moistened'. The root 'rigare' is also related to the word 'rain' in some distant Indo-European branches. It suggests the deliberate 'leading' of water into dry places.
Word relationships
- watering: A simpler, less technical term often used for gardens rather than large farms.
- hydration: A more general biological term for providing water.
- drainage: The removal of water from land, the opposite of adding it.
- drought: A natural lack of water, which irrigation seeks to solve.
Commonly confused with
- precipitation: Precipitation is natural rain/snow; irrigation is man-made watering.
Word family
- irrigate (verb): to supply water to land
- irrigable (adjective): capable of being irrigated
Collocations
- drip irrigation
- irrigation system
- irrigation ditch
Example sentences
- "The irrigation of the Nile valley was the foundation of Egyptian civilization." Historical history
- "Drip irrigation is much more efficient than flood irrigation, as it delivers water directly to the roots." Modern technology
Memory hook
'Irrigate' sounds like 'Ear-i-gate'—imagine a gate opening to let water flow into the field. Bringing water to crops.
When not to use
Don't use it for simple rain; it must involve some form of engineering or deliberate watering.
Fun facts
- The oldest known irrigation systems date back to the 6th millennium BCE in Lorestan, Iran.
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