irrigation

IPA/ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃn/
KK[ˌɪrəɡˈeʃən]IPA/ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃn/

irrigation — noun

1. The use of pipes, channels, or spray systems to carry water to farmland so that

1.nounB2
Definition

The use of pipes, channels, or spray systems to carry water to farmland so that crops are able to grow.

Example

The farmers built an irrigation system to bring river water to their rice fields.

collocation: irrigation system

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots and wastes far less than older methods.

compound noun: drip irrigation

Common collocations
  • irrigation system
  • irrigation channel
  • irrigation canal
  • drip irrigation
  • flood irrigation
  • irrigation water
  • irrigation project
  • irrigation method
  • irrigation farming
  • irrigation pump
Synonyms
  • watering

    A more general, everyday term; 'watering' can refer to gardens or houseplants, while 'irrigation' specifically describes large-scale farmland watering.

  • flooding

    Refers to a specific type of irrigation where fields are deliberately covered with water; can also describe unwanted flooding, so context matters.

Antonyms
  • drainage

    The removal of excess water from land, while irrigation adds water to it.

Grammar Patterns

irrigation + noun (system / channel / project)

adjective + irrigation (drip irrigation / flood irrigation)

Usage Note

Irrigation is an uncountable noun and cannot be used with 'a' or 'an'. It is often combined with another noun to describe a specific method or piece of equipment, e.g. irrigation canal, irrigation pump, irrigation schedule.

Common Mistakes

an irrigation
irrigation
This is an uncountable noun, so it does not take the indefinite article 'a' or 'an'.
The irrigation of the fields are done.
The irrigation of the fields is done.
The subject is 'irrigation' (uncountable, singular), so the verb must be singular.

2. A medical technique that cleans a wound or internal cavity by passing sterile li

2.nounC1
Definition

A medical technique that cleans a wound or internal cavity by passing sterile liquid or medicated fluid through it.

Example

The doctor used sterile saltwater irrigation to clean the deep cut on Elena's arm.

collocation: sterile saltwater irrigation

After surgery, a nurse performed wound irrigation twice a day to lower infection risk.

medical compound: wound irrigation

Common collocations
  • wound irrigation
  • eye irrigation
  • nasal irrigation
  • irrigation solution
  • irrigation fluid
  • sterile irrigation
  • saline irrigation
  • irrigation syringe
Synonyms
  • flushing

    A more general, less formal term for washing out a cavity or tube; 'flushing' is also used for non-medical contexts (e.g. flushing a pipe).

  • lavage

    A formal medical synonym, often used for specific procedures such as gastric lavage or bronchial lavage; more technical than 'irrigation'.

Grammar Patterns

noun + irrigation (wound irrigation / eye irrigation)

irrigation + noun (irrigation solution / irrigation fluid)

Usage Note

In medical contexts, 'irrigation' is nearly always uncountable. It is frequently paired with a body part or a type of wound as a compound noun (e.g. nasal irrigation, joint irrigation). Sterile equipment and solutions are standard.

Common Mistakes

The nurse did an irrigation on the patient.
The nurse performed irrigation on the patient's wound.
'Irrigation' does not take the article 'an'; use 'perform' or 'do' with the uncountable form.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • irrigation system
  • irrigation water
  • irrigation project
  • irrigation method
  • irrigation equipment

Phrases

  • drip irrigation
  • flood irrigation
  • surface irrigation
  • irrigation scheme
  • irrigation schedule

Prepositions

  • for irrigation
  • through irrigation
  • by irrigation
  • without irrigation