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Irrigation: meaning, definitions and examples

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irrigation

 

[ ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

water supply

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil or land to assist in the growing of crops. It is a crucial agricultural practice that helps in providing adequate moisture to plants when natural rainfall is insufficient. Irrigation can involve various methods, such as surface, drip, or sprinkler systems, and it is widely used in farming to enhance crop yield. The practice has significantly contributed to agricultural productivity and food security worldwide.

Synonyms

dousing, flooding, watering

Examples of usage

  • Farmers implemented new irrigation techniques to increase their harvest.
  • Irrigation systems are essential in arid regions for successful agriculture.
  • The government invested in irrigation projects to support local farmers.

Translations

Translations of the word "irrigation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irrigação

🇮🇳 सिंचाई

🇩🇪 Bewässerung

🇮🇩 irigasi

🇺🇦 зрошення

🇵🇱 nawadnianie

🇯🇵 灌漑

🇫🇷 irrigation

🇪🇸 irrigación

🇹🇷 sulama

🇰🇷 관개

🇸🇦 ري

🇨🇿 zavlažování

🇸🇰 zavlažovanie

🇨🇳 灌溉

🇸🇮 namakanje

🇮🇸 vötnun

🇰🇿 суаруды

🇬🇪 სარწყავი

🇦🇿 suvarma

🇲🇽 irrigación

Etymology

The word 'irrigation' originates from the Latin term 'irrigatio', which comes from 'irrigare', meaning 'to water' or 'to soak'. This Latin root is composed of the prefix 'in-', meaning 'in' or 'on', and 'rugare', meaning 'to moisten'. The practice of irrigation dates back thousands of years, with ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt using simple channels and ditches to direct water from rivers to their fields. Over time, techniques and technologies have evolved, leading to the sophisticated irrigation systems we see today. Understanding and implementing irrigation has been vital for agricultural development, especially as populations grew and the demand for food increased.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,579, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.