aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈa-kwə-ˌdəkt 

1

a

: a conduit for water

especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

b

: a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow

2

: a canal or passage in a part or organ

Did you know?

Based partly on the Latin ducere, meaning "lead" or "conduct," the word aqueduct named an ancient civil-engineering marvel. Ancient Rome's aqueduct system, an extraordinary feat of engineering, brought water to the city from as far as 57 miles (92 kilometers) away. Only a portion of the Roman aqueducts utilized the familiar stone arch; most were underground conduits made of stone or terra-cotta pipe. Modern aqueduct systems now often use reinforced concrete for large water mains, and ductile iron, a stronger and more elastic type of cast iron, for smaller underground pipes.

Synonyms

• canal
• channel
• conduit
• course
• flume
• racecourse
• raceway
• watercourse
• waterway

Examples of aqueduct in a Sentence

marveled at the ancient Roman aqueducts that still carry water to distant villages

Recent Examples on the Web

The cost analysis is the state’s latest step toward building the 45-mile tunnel, which would create a second route to draw water from the Sacramento River into the aqueducts of the State Water Project. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024

Land would also continue to sink, endangering canals, major aqueducts and flood control levees. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin aquaeductus, from aquae (genitive of aqua) + ductus act of leading — more at duct

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

1

: an artificial channel for water

especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

2

: a structure that carries the water of a canal across a river or hollow

Etymology

from Latin aquaeductus "aqueduct," from aquae, form of aqua "water," and ductus "act of conducting or leading" — related to duct

Medical Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

: a canal or passage in a part or organ