Groundwater
noun ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Water that exists beneath the earth's surface in underground streams and aquifers. countable, uncountable
"The pH in water of the hillside soils varied between 3.1 and 6.1 with a mean of 4.2. The pattern of pH variation is complex and does not clearly relate either to cultivation or occupation. The most consistent, though weak, correlation appears to be between higher pH and flushes or bogs, which indicates that the local groundwaters are comparatively basic."
Example
More examples"The Southwest, Great Plains, and Southeast are particularly vulnerable to changes in water supply and demand. Changes in precipitation and runoff, combined with changes in consumption and withdrawal, have reduced surface and groundwater supplies in many areas. These trends are expected to continue, increasing the likelihood of water shortages for many uses."
Etymology
From ground + water.
Related phrases
More for "groundwater"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.