aquifer
AK-wih-fer
/ˈækwɪfər/
An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, gravel, sand, or silt from which groundwater can be extracted.
Unlike an underground lake, an aquifer is more like a giant, water-soaked sponge made of rock.
The story behind the word. The word literally means 'water-carrier.' It comes from the Latin 'aqua' combined with 'ferre,' the same root found in 'transfer' or 'conifer' (cone-bearer). It describes a geological formation that 'carries' water within its pores.
Word relationships
- groundwater reservoir: A more general term that doesn't necessarily imply the geological structure.
Commonly confused with
- artesian well: An aquifer is the source; an artesian well is the hole drilled to access it using natural pressure.
Word family
- aquifers (noun): Plural form of aquifer.
Collocations
- underground aquifer
- aquifer depletion
- recharge an aquifer
Example sentences
- "The Ogallala Aquifer is one of the world's largest, but it is being pumped faster than it can be replenished." Environmental science textbook
- "Contamination of the aquifer could lead to a long-term loss of the region's primary water source." Geological report
Memory hook
Think of an 'Aqua-Ferry' traveling underground, carrying water through the rocks. A rock that carries water.
When not to use
Do not use to describe surface water like ponds or rivers.
Fun facts
- The water in some deep aquifers has been trapped there for thousands of years, earning it the name 'fossil water.'
Related words
Explore more words
reservoir, permeable, borehole, permeability, aqueduct, subsidence
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