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watering

n. · v.
US //ˈwɔtɝɪŋ// UK //wˈɔːtəɹɪŋ// wa·ter·ing
  1. 1 giving water to plants (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the act of pouring water on plants to help them grow.

    the act of supplying water to plants, typically in a garden or agricultural context.

    Example

    The garden needs a good watering after this long week of hot weather.

    Example

    Regular watering is essential during the germination phase to ensure the seedlings establish a robust root system before the peak of summer.

    Usage

    often used as a gerund or in compound nouns like 'watering can'.
  2. 2 producing liquid in eyes or mouth (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    when your eyes produce tears or your mouth produces saliva.

    the physiological process of secreting tears or saliva, often as a reaction to irritants or appetising smells.

    Example

    The smell of fresh bread had my mouth watering immediately.

    Example

    The patient complained of persistent eye watering and redness, which the specialist attributed to a seasonal pollen allergy.

    Usage

    usually describes a continuous state or reaction.
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  1. 3 diluting a liquid (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    adding water to a drink or liquid to make it weaker.

    the act of diluting a substance by adding water, often used figuratively to describe weakening an idea or policy.

    Example

    The watering of the juice made it taste very thin and bland.

    Example

    Critics argued that the watering down of the original legislation rendered the new environmental protections largely toothless.

    Usage

    frequently appears in the phrasal form 'watering down'.
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