Water: meaning, definitions and examples

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water

[ˈwɔːtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

drinkable liquid

Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance that is the main constituent of Earth's streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of most living organisms.

Synonyms

H2O, H2O molecule, aquatic fluid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
water	Common and everyday conversations, often related to drinking, cooking, and natural bodies of water. Can you pass me a glass of water? The lake is so beautiful with such clear water. Don't forget to water the plants.
H2O	Scientific or technical contexts, often in chemistry or educational materials. In chemistry class, we learned that the chemical formula for water is H2O. H2O is essential for all known forms of life.
aquatic fluid	Scientific or technical discussions, specifically related to aquatic environments or studies about fluids in or from water bodies. The laboratory is analyzing different types of aquatic fluid from the ocean. Aquatic fluid dynamics play a crucial role in marine biology.
H2O molecule	Scientific discussions focusing on the molecular structure and properties of water. An H2O molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The polarity of an H2O molecule is what makes water an excellent solvent.

Examples of usage

Please bring me a glass of water.
The plants need water to grow.
She prefers to drink water over soda.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

bodily need

Water is essential for the human body to function properly, as it helps regulate body temperature, aids in digestion, and supports various cellular processes.

Synonyms

H2O, aquatic sustenance, hydration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
water	Daily life, simple communication, easy to understand, used to talk about drinking, using, or finding water. We need to fix the water leak in the kitchen. The children played in the water all afternoon.
H2O	Scientific contexts, educational settings, or when discussing chemical properties. H2O is the chemical formula for water. The experiment required a precise measurement of H2O.
hydration	Health and fitness contexts, discussions about body wellness, keeping hydrated. Proper hydration is essential before and after exercise. Staying hydrated helps improve concentration and energy levels.
aquatic sustenance	Formal or scientific discussions, often used by professionals or in written materials. Aquatic sustenance is crucial for marine life. The study focused on the importance of aquatic sustenance in freshwater ecosystems.

Examples of usage

You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Staying hydrated is important for your health.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

supply with water

To water something means to pour water on it or provide it with water.

Synonyms

hydrate, irrigate, moisten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
water	used when referring to giving water to plants or when discussing the liquid that is essential for life. Don't forget to water the plants every morning. He drank a glass of water after his workout.
irrigate	used mainly in agriculture or medical procedures; in agriculture, it's about supplying water to crops, and in medical procedures, it refers to washing out a wound or part of the body with water or another liquid. Farmers must irrigate their fields to ensure the crops grow well. The nurse had to irrigate the wound to clean it properly.
moisten	used when talking about making something slightly wet, often to enhance its texture or usability. You should moisten the cloth before wiping the surface. She moistened her lips with a bit of water before speaking.
hydrate	often used in medical, fitness, or beauty contexts when talking about making sure the body has enough fluids or keeping the skin moisturized. It's important to hydrate well, especially in hot weather. This moisturizer will hydrate your skin effectively.

Examples of usage

Don't forget to water the plants while I'm away.
She waters her garden every morning.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'water' comes from the Old English 'wæter', which has roots in various Germanic languages.
In Latin, 'aqua' is the term for water, which is seen in words like aquarium and aquatic.
Many languages have similar words for water, reflecting its universal importance, such as 'eau' in French and 'agua' in Spanish.

Science

Water is the only substance that exists naturally in three states on Earth: solid (ice), liquid, and gas (vapor).
Approximately 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water, mostly in oceans, making it a crucial part of our planet's ecosystem.
Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat without changing temperature quickly, which helps regulate climate.

Historical Significance

Ancient civilizations often settled near sources of water due to its vital role in agriculture and survival.
The construction of aqueducts in Ancient Rome was a significant engineering achievement that brought water from distant sources to cities.
Water rights and access have historically been a source of conflict and negotiation among communities.

Cultural References

In many cultures, water is a symbol of life and renewal, represented in rituals and myths, like the concept of 'holy water' in Christianity.
Water bodies often play significant roles in stories and religions, such as the River Ganges in Hinduism, considered sacred.
In art, water is depicted in countless paintings, often symbolizing peace and serenity, like Monet’s water lilies.

Environmental Importance

Water is essential for ecosystems, supporting countless species in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Freshwater sources are increasingly threatened due to pollution and climate change, raising concerns about conservation.
Sustainable water management is crucial for agriculture, industry, and urban planning to ensure future water security.

Translations

Translations of the word "water" in other languages:

🇵🇹 água

🇮🇳 पानी

🇩🇪 Wasser

🇮🇩 air

🇺🇦 вода

🇵🇱 woda

🇯🇵 水 (みず)

🇫🇷 eau

🇪🇸 agua

🇹🇷 su

🇰🇷 물 (물)

🇸🇦 ماء

🇨🇿 voda

🇸🇰 voda

🇨🇳 水 (shuǐ)

🇸🇮 voda

🇮🇸 vatn

🇰🇿 су

🇬🇪 წყალი

🇦🇿 su

🇲🇽 agua

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #104, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.

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101 against
102 state
103 right
104 water
105 order
106 within
107 given
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