English Reference
Noun

groundwater

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈɡɹaʊndˌwɑtɝ/ UK /ɡɹˈaʊndwɔːtɐ/ ground·wa·ter UK spelling groundwaters Geology

n.water that is found deep under the earth's surface in the soil or between rocks. It is a major source of fresh water for wells and springs.

n.water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock. It serves as a critical reservoir for the hydrological cycle and human consumption.


SIMPLE

Many farmers rely on groundwater to water their crops.

CONTEXTUAL

The local government is monitoring the groundwater levels to ensure the town's wells do not run dry during the summer.

COMPLEX

Industrial runoff can seep through the topsoil and contaminate the groundwater, leading to long-term environmental damage that is both difficult and expensive to remediate.

Usage groundwater levels

Heavy summer thunderstorms don't mean an end to a drought, as rivers, groundwater levels and reservoirs can still be depleted for months.

BBC News· 18 Aug 2026

South-east England relies more heavily on groundwater than reservoirs.

BBC News· 7 Aug 2026

Common in science and environment writing


From ground + water.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated