B2verbenvironmentscience
US/ˈɪr.ə.ɡeɪt/
UK/ˈɪr.ɪ.ɡeɪt/
to supply land with water through pipes, channels or sprinklers so that crops can grow
In context
Farmers irrigate their fields with water from the river during the dry season.
The government plans to irrigate another 50,000 hectares of desert land.
Crops that are irrigated properly produce much higher yields than rain-fed ones.
Words that go with irrigate
verb + noun
- irrigate cropsMany farmers irrigate crops by pumping water from wells.
- irrigate fieldsThey irrigate their fields twice a week in summer.
- irrigate farmlandThe new canal will irrigate farmland in the northern region.
- irrigate the landWater from the dam is used to irrigate the land downstream.
verb + preposition
- irrigate with river waterRice paddies are often irrigated with river water.
verb + adverb
- irrigate regularlyFarmers must irrigate regularly during long dry spells.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
irrigate the water to the fieldsCorrect: bring water to the fields / irrigate the fields