irrigate

[ir-i-geyt]

verb (used with object)

irrigated, irrigating 

1. to supply (land) with water by artificial means, as by diverting streams, flooding, or spraying.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  to supply or wash (an orifice, wound, etc.) with a spray or a flow of some liquid.

3. to moisten; wet.

irrigate

/ ˈɪrɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to supply (land) with water by means of artificial canals, ditches, etc, esp to promote the growth of food crops

2. med to bathe or wash out a bodily part, cavity, or wound

3. (tr) to make fertile, fresh, or vital by or as if by watering

Other Word Forms

• irrigator noun
• nonirrigated adjective
• nonirrigating adjective
• overirrigate verb (used with object)
• reirrigate verb (used with object)
• unirrigated adjective
• well-irrigated adjective
• irrigation noun
• irrigational adjective
• irrigable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrigate¹

1605–15; < Latin irrigātus, past participle of irrigāre to wet, flood, nourish with water, equivalent to ir- ir- ¹ + rigā- (stem of rigāre to provide with water, soak) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrigate¹

C17: from Latin irrigāre, from rigāre to moisten, conduct water

Example Sentences

And much of that water is to irrigate crops.

From Los Angeles Times

The spill affected aquatic life as well as farmers who use the water to irrigate their crops.

From BBC

It has argued that just a 2% reduction in the amount of water it gets from the Nile could result in the loss of 200,000 acres of irrigated land.

From BBC

In parts of the Tulare Lake basin, the ground has sunk as much as six feet over the last decade as water levels have declined beneath farmlands where wells irrigate cotton, tomatoes and other crops.

From Los Angeles Times

Soft fruit and vegetable production, mainly based in the south and east of the country, often requires large volumes of water to irrigate crops.

From BBC

Related Words

• inundate 
• soak