water table

noun

1
: a stringcourse or similar member when projecting so as to throw off water
2
: the upper limit of the portion of the ground wholly saturated with water

Examples of water table in a Sentence

Heavy rainfall has caused the water table to rise.
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.
Groundwater naturally flows down to the large pits in the ground, which lowers the water table, causing wells to run dry. Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 Dams raise the water table, extend the area along the banks of a river or lake that more animals and plants can inhabit, and keep more water on the landscape. Joseph Lee, Vox, 14 Oct. 2024 As Tucson and other southern Arizona communities grew, diversion and groundwater pumping lowered the water table and dried up the river, according to the Central Arizona Project. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024 By digging holes in the ground, pikas allow rainwater to percolate into the earth and replenish the water table. Sulmaan Khan, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2014 See all Example Sentences for water table 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of water table was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near water table

Cite this Entry

“Water table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20table. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

water table

noun
: the upper limit of the portion of the ground completely soaked with water

More from Merriam-Webster on water table

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!