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verb

irrigate

IH-ruh-gayt

Irrigate (verb) means to supply land with water using channels, pipes, or sprinklers so crops can grow. Example: “Farmers irrigate the fields from the river during the dry season.”

verb
1
To supply land with water using channels, pipes, or sprinklers so crops can grow.
"Farmers irrigate the fields from the river during the dry season."
"The valley's crops are irrigated by an ancient canal system."
2
(medicine) To rinse a wound or body cavity with a flow of liquid to clean it.
"The nurse irrigated the wound with a saline solution."

How to use irrigate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo bring water to land or to a wound, either to help things grow or to clean it.

Common pairings
irrigate the fields irrigate a wound

Word forms

irrigated past tense, irrigates singular

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Farmers _____ the fields from the river during the dry season.

Etymology

From Latin irrigatus, the past participle of irrigare, "to water" or "flood."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for irrigate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “irrigate” mean?

The word “irrigate” means to supply land with water using channels, pipes, or sprinklers so crops can grow. In plain terms, to bring water to land or to a wound, either to help things grow or to clean it.

How do you pronounce “irrigate”?

“Irrigate” is pronounced IH-ruh-gayt (/ˈɪɹəˌɡeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “irrigate” in a sentence?

Here is “irrigate” used in a sentence: “Farmers irrigate the fields from the river during the dry season.”

What part of speech is “irrigate”?

“Irrigate” is a verb.

Where does the word “irrigate” come from?

The word “irrigate” comes from Latin. From Latin irrigatus, the past participle of irrigare, "to water" or "flood.".

How many meanings does “irrigate” have?

“Irrigate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to supply land with water using channels, pipes, or sprinklers so crops can grow.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial