Dictionary

irrigate

verb ir·ri·gate \ˈir-ə-ˌgāt\

: to supply (something, such as land) with water by using artificial means (such as pipes)

medical : to clean (a wound or a part of the body) with flowing liquid (such as water)

ir·ri·gat·edir·ri·gat·ing

Full Definition of IRRIGATE

transitive verb
1
:  wet, moisten: as
a :  to supply (as land or crops) with water by artificial means
b :  to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid (as in removing a foreign body or medicating)
2
:  to refresh as if by watering
intransitive verb
:  to practice irrigation
ir·ri·ga·tor \ˈir-ə-ˌgā-tər\ noun
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Origin of IRRIGATE

Latin irrigatus, past participle of irrigare, from in- + rigare to water; perhaps akin to Old High German regan rain — more at rain
First Known Use: 1615

Rhymes with IRRIGATE

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IRRIGATED Defined for Kids

irrigate

verb ir·ri·gate \ˈir-ə-ˌgāt\
ir·ri·gat·edir·ri·gat·ing

Definition of IRRIGATE for Kids

1
:  to supply (as land) with water by artificial means <irrigate crops>
2
:  to clean with a flow of liquid <irrigate a wound>
Medical Dictionary

irrigate

transitive verb ir·ri·gate \ˈir-ə-ˌgāt\
ir·ri·gat·edir·ri·gat·ing

Medical Definition of IRRIGATE

:  to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid <irrigate the wound with saline to remove debris> <the eye was irrigated for 10 minutes following chemical exposure>
ir·ri·ga·tion \ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən\ noun

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