What does irrigate mean?
To irrigate is to supply land, crops, or other materials with water, usually by means of pipes, channels, sprinklers, or other controlled systems. The word is especially important in agriculture, where irrigation allows crops to grow in places with insufficient or unreliable rainfall and can make otherwise dry land productive. It can also refer more generally to making something moist, and figuratively to refreshing or replenishing a person, place, or organization. “Irrigate the fields” and “irrigate crops” are typical everyday examples. In technical contexts, irrigation is distinct from simple watering because it often implies a planned or managed supply of water. The word comes from Latin and ultimately from the idea of wetting or watering land.
To supply land, crops, or other materials with water, especially through a controlled system.
"The farmers irrigate the rice fields whenever rainfall is insufficient."
Often used in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, and environmental contexts.
To refresh or replenish someone or something with a beneficial or welcome influence.
"The lecture irrigated her enthusiasm for the subject."
This figurative sense is less common than the agricultural sense and can sound slightly literary.
From the Latin for “to wet,” irrigate is the word behind one of agriculture’s greatest productivity boosts: turning dry land into reliably watered ground.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irrigate come from?
The English word irrigate comes from Latin irrigare, “to water,” formed from in- and rigare, a word associated with wetting or directing water. Its meaning developed from the practice of supplying water to land and crops into the modern agricultural and general senses of watering or moistening. The related English noun irrigation and the agent noun irrigator follow the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How irrigate is actually used
In ordinary agricultural and environmental contexts, “irrigate” refers to supplying water to soil, crops, or land. Its figurative use, meaning to refresh or enrich someone, is established but less frequent and is often somewhat literary.
Easily confused with irrigate
To irrigate is to supply water or moisture, whereas to irritate is to annoy, provoke, or cause irritation.