irrigate
IH-rih-gayt
/ˈɪrɪɡeɪt/
To supply water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels or pipes.
Irrigate is more technical and large-scale than 'water.' You water a houseplant with a watering can, but a farmer irrigates thousands of acres of corn using complex engineering systems.
The story behind the word. The Latin verb 'rigare' meant to wet or moisten. By adding the prefix 'in-' (into), the Romans created 'irrigare', meaning to lead water into a dry place. This word was essential to Roman civil engineering, as their aqueducts and irrigation channels transformed dry landscapes into fertile farmlands.
Word relationships
- water: Water is a simple, everyday verb, whereas irrigate implies an organized, artificial system of water delivery.
- drain: To remove water from an area, whereas irrigate is to supply water to it.
- dehydrate: To strip of moisture completely.
Commonly confused with
- irritate: Irritate means to annoy or make sore; irrigate means to water. Do not confuse these very similar-sounding words!
Word family
- irrigation (noun): The supply of water to land or crops.
Collocations
- irrigate crops
- irrigate fields
- irrigation system
- drip irrigation
Example sentences
- "The ancient Mesopotamians were among the first to build canals to irrigate their dry desert fields." Agricultural engineering report
- "The surgeon used a saline solution to irrigate the wound and clear out any debris." Medical procedure description
Memory hook
IRRIGATE has 'RIG' in the middle. Think of a complex water RIG (machinery) pumping water to crops. IRRIGATE = IR- (into) + RIG (water-delivery rig).
When not to use
Do not use 'irrigate' for minor, domestic tasks like spraying a single orchid; it sounds overly clinical and industrial.
Fun facts
- Drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to plant roots to minimize evaporation, was invented in Israel in the 1960s and revolutionized desert agriculture.
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