First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1water
noun, wa·ter often attributive \ˈwȯ-tər, ˈwä-\
: the clear liquid that has no color, taste, or smell, that falls from clouds as rain, that forms streams, lakes, and seas, and that is used for drinking, washing, etc.
: an area of water (such as a lake, river, or ocean)
waters : a specific area of water; especially : an area of seawater
Full Definition of WATER
1
a : the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H2O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C, has a maximum density at 4° C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent b : a natural mineral water —usually used in plural
2
: a particular quantity or body of water: as a (1) plural : the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed (2) chiefly British : lake, pond b : a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose (as navigation) c plural (1) : a band of seawater abutting on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the control of that sovereignty (2) : the sea of a particular part of the earth d : water supply <threatened to turn off the water>
3
: travel or transportation on water <we went by water>
4
: the level of water at a particular state of the tide : tide
5
: liquid containing or resembling water: as a (1) : a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made with water (2) : a watery solution of a gaseous or readily volatile substance — compare ammonia water b archaic : a distilled fluid (as an essence); especially : a distilled alcoholic liquor c : a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed or circulating in a living body d : amniotic fluid; also : bag of waters
6
a : the degree of clarity and luster of a precious stone b : degree of excellence <a scholar of the first water>
7
8
a : stock not representing assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning power b : fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that give a stock an unrealistic book value
— above water
: out of difficulty
See water defined for English-language learners
See water defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WATER
Middle English, from Old English wæter; akin to Old High German wazzar water, Greek hydōr, Latin unda wave
Other Chemical Engineering Terms
2water
verb
: to pour water on (something, such as a plant)
: to give (an animal) water to drink
of the eyes : to produce tears
Full Definition of WATER
transitive verb
1
: to moisten, sprinkle, or soak with water <water the lawn>
2
: to supply with water for drink <water cattle>
3
: to supply water to <lands watered by the river>
4
: to treat with or as if with water; specifically : to impart a lustrous appearance and wavy pattern to (cloth) by calendering
5
a : to dilute by the addition of water —often used with down <water down the punch> b : to add to the aggregate par value of (securities) without a corresponding addition to the assets represented by the securities
intransitive verb
1
: to form or secrete water or watery matter (as tears or saliva)
2
: to get or take water: as a : to take on a supply of water <the boat docked to water> b : to drink water
See water defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WATER
before 12th century
Related to WATER
WATER Defined for Kids
1water
noun wa·ter \ˈwȯ-tər, ˈwä-\
Definition of WATER for Kids
1
: the liquid that comes from the clouds as rain and forms streams, lakes, and seas
2
: a body of water or a part of a body of water
2water
verb
wa·teredwa·ter·ing
Definition of WATER for Kids
1
: to wet or supply with water <I'm watering the plants.>
2
: to fill with liquid (as tears or saliva) <… Papa and the judge laughed until their eyes watered. — Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows>
3
: to add water to <Someone watered down the punch.>
Learn More About WATER
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up water? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).