water cycle

noun

: hydrologic cycle
In the water cycle, water evaporates, condenses, falls as precipitation, and eventually evaporates again.Timothy Cooney et al.
As they have for thousands of years, the rhythms of wildlife migration and reproduction as well as human agriculture and grazing activities are inseparable from that of the yearly water cycle.Peter Warshall
… run by solar energy that helps cause winds, energizes plants, and powers the water cycle.David M. Armstrong et al.

Examples of water cycle in a Sentence

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.
Rising temperatures are disrupting precipitation patterns and the water cycle, making floods and droughts more likely and severe. Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024 The evidence in the study suggests that some of the PFAS that end up in South Florida are carried over vast distances in the atmosphere via the water cycle. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024 This speeds up Earth’s water cycle, sending more water into the air for precipitation but drying out some land areas. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 11 Nov. 2024 More extreme rainfall events could be expected in the Sahara in the future, according to recent research, as fossil fuel pollution continues to heat up the planet and disrupt the water cycle. Laura Paddison, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for water cycle 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water cycle was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near water cycle

Cite this Entry

“Water cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20cycle. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

water cycle

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on water cycle

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