aquatic

1 of 2

adjective

aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwä-tik How to pronounce aquatic (audio) -ˈkwa- How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
1
: growing or living in or frequenting water
aquatic mosquito larvae
2
: taking place in or on water
aquatic sports
aquatically adverb

aquatic

2 of 2

noun

1
: an aquatic animal or plant
2
aquatics ə-ˈkwä-tiks How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
-ˈkwa-
plural in form but singular or plural in construction : water sports

Examples of aquatic in a Sentence

Adjective a lifelong fascination with sharks and other fearsome aquatic creatures
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Experience the benefits of aquatic activities in a fun and friendly environment. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025 The aquatic birds even feature prominently on the park’s logo. Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Additionally, the part-time Parks, Recreation and Community Education custodian position will be moved to grade 100 for better staffing consistency, and the recreation programmer position’s title has been adjusted to aquatics and recreation programmer to better reflect its responsibilities. Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 The aquatics center — host to diving, water polo and artistic swimming — is near there, too. Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for aquatic 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

earlier, "of water," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "living in water," going back to Old French aquatike "having the nature of water," borrowed from Latin aquāticus "of water, growing or living in water," from aqua "water" + -āticus, adjective suffix of appurtenance — more at island entry 1, -age

Noun

derivative of aquatic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aquatic was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near aquatic

Cite this Entry

“Aquatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquatic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

aquatic

1 of 2 adjective
1
: growing or living in or often found in water
aquatic animals
2
: performed in or on water
aquatic sports

aquatic

2 of 2 noun
: an aquatic animal or plant

Medical Definition

aquatic

adjective
: growing or living in or frequenting water
aquatic mosquito larvae

More from Merriam-Webster on aquatic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!