irrigate

[ir-i-geyt] /ˈɪr ɪˌgeɪt/
verb (used with object), irrigated, irrigating.
1.
to supply (land) with water by artificial means, as by diverting streams, flooding, or spraying.
2.
Medicine/Medical. to supply or wash (an orifice, wound, etc.) with a spray or a flow of some liquid.
3.
to moisten; wet.
Origin
1605-15; < Latin irrigātus, past participle of irrigāre to wet, flood, nourish with water, equivalent to ir- ir-1 + rigā- (stem of rigāre to provide with water, soak) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
irrigator, noun
nonirrigated, adjective
nonirrigating, adjective
overirrigate, verb (used with object), overirrigated, overirrigating.
reirrigate, verb (used with object), reirrigated, reirrigating.
unirrigated, adjective
well-irrigated, adjective
Examples from the web for irrigate
  • irrigate artfully with water that sprays off the hoops of this copper kinetic sculpture.
  • Group plants in your garden by water needs and irrigate during early morning to conserve water.
  • He also has to buy feed for his animals because there is no water to irrigate crops.
  • irrigate once a week or so using a gentle stream of water from the hose or a watering can with a narrow spout.
  • The club uses recycled water from reverse osmosis to irrigate the grounds.
  • The water authority also works with farmers who use city water to irrigate their corn and other crops.
  • Not only is she not using city water to irrigate a lawn, she is keeping water from flooding the sewers.
  • Rather, what tends to happen is the water saved is then used- to irrigate a new field.
  • More people means more demand for water to irrigate crops, cool machinery, and power cities.
  • Water the complete root zone each time you irrigate.
British Dictionary definitions for irrigate

irrigate

/ˈɪrɪˌɡeɪt/
verb
1.
to supply (land) with water by means of artificial canals, ditches, etc, esp to promote the growth of food crops
2.
(med) to bathe or wash out a bodily part, cavity, or wound
3.
(transitive) to make fertile, fresh, or vital by or as if by watering
Derived Forms
irrigable, adjective
irrigation, noun
irrigational, irrigative, adjective
irrigator, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin irrigāre, from rigāre to moisten, conduct water
Word Origin and History for irrigate
v.

"supply land with water," 1610s, from Latin irrigatus, past participle of irrigare "lead water to, refresh, irrigate, flood," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + rigare "to water, to moisten," of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with rain. Related: Irrigated; irrigating. In Middle English it was an adjective, "watered, flooded" (mid-15c.).

irrigate in Medicine

irrigate ir·ri·gate (ĭr'ĭ-gāt')
v. ir·ri·gat·ed, ir·ri·gat·ing, ir·ri·gates
To wash out a cavity or wound with a fluid.