First Known Use: 1615
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
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
Rhymes with IRRIGATE
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IRRIGATOR 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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