ENGLISH
REFERENCE

irrigation

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪɹəˈɡeɪʃən// UK //ˌɪɹɪɡˈeɪʃən// ir·ri·ga·tion

n. the process of bringing water to land or crops to help them grow. Farmers use this when there is not enough rain for their plants.

n. the artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in the production of crops or the maintenance of landscapes. Often involves complex systems of pipes, ditches, or sprinklers.


SIMPLE

The farmer installed a new irrigation system for his corn field.

CONTEXTUAL

Without modern irrigation, the desert region would be unable to support large-scale commercial farming.

COMPLEX

Ancient civilisations developed sophisticated irrigation networks to divert river water, allowing them to sustain growing populations even during prolonged periods of drought.

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French irrigation, from Latin irrigatio.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process; can be countable when referring to specific technical systems.

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