Definition, synonyms and related words
Water that exists beneath the earth's surface in underground streams and aquifers.
"The city relies on groundwater drawn from deep aquifers to supply its drinking water."
In plain English: Groundwater is water that sits underground inside cracks and spaces within rocks and soil.
"After weeks of heavy rain, the groundwater level rose high enough to flood the basement."
Usage: Groundwater refers specifically to water stored naturally below the ground, distinguishing it from rain or rivers found on the surface. Use this term when discussing sources for wells, springs, or irrigation rather than general precipitation.
The word groundwater is a straightforward combination of the words "ground" and "water." It entered English simply to describe liquid found beneath the earth's surface.