Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Irrigation has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
supplying dry land with water by means of ditches etc
"The farmer used a network of ditches to irrigate the arid fields and grow crops."
(medicine) cleaning a wound or body organ by flushing or washing out with water or a medicated solution
"The surgeon performed irrigation on the patient's abdominal cavity to flush out any remaining debris and bacteria."
The act or process of irrigating, or the state of being irrigated; especially, the operation of causing water to flow over lands, for nourishing plants.
"The ancient farmers built a complex system of irrigation channels to bring river water onto their dry fields and nourish the crops."
In plain English: Irrigation is the process of watering crops with water from rivers, lakes, or other sources to help them grow.
"The farmer relies on irrigation to water his dry fields during the summer heat."
Usage: Irrigation refers specifically to the artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in growing crops. Use this term when discussing agricultural systems rather than natural rainfall or general watering activities.
The word irrigation entered English through Middle French and ultimately traces back to the Latin term irrigatio. It was borrowed directly with its original meaning of watering land or crops by bringing water onto it.