Definition of aquifer
: a water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel
aquiferousplay \a-ˈkwi-fə-rəs, ä-\ adjective
Recent Examples of aquifer from the Web
Without the aquifers, migratory fish and birds could not survive in their current numbers.
But a hundred feet below the mysterious pits, a narrow tunnel carries water from a distant aquifer to farms and villages that wouldn’t exist without it.
Water is recycled or pumped in so as not to burden precious local aquifers.
Well data can be hard to interpret as most wells penetrate more than one level in the aquifer system.
The German’s humble innovation had the potential to save millions of gallons of water at a time when demand for the natural resource was draining aquifers dry.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aquifer'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The vast but relatively shallow Ogallala Aquifer lies beneath the Great Plains, under portions of eight states. Its thickness ranges from a few feet to more than a thousand feet. The Ogallala yields about 30 percent of the nation's groundwater used for irrigation in agriculture, and provides drinking water for most of the people within the area. But for many years more water has been extracted from the Ogallala than has been returned, and the situation today is of great concern.
Origin and Etymology of aquifer
New Latin, from Latin aqua + -fer
First Known Use: 1897
AQUIFER Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of aquifer for English Language Learners
: a layer of rock or sand that can absorb and hold water
Seen and Heard
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