irrigation
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.
“The farmer installed a new irrigation system for his corn field.”
“Without modern irrigation, the desert region would be unable to support large-scale commercial farming.”
“Ancient civilisations developed sophisticated irrigation networks to divert river water, allowing them to sustain growing populations even during prolonged periods of drought.”
Uncountable when referring to the general process; can be countable when referring to specific technical systems.
“A dam designed mainly for electricity generation would have different consequences from one linked to large-scale irrigation.”
“A sign warns passers-by that irrigation in the area uses treated sewage wastewater.”
Borrowed from Middle French irrigation, from Latin irrigatio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.