aquifer
nounUK /ˈækwɪfə/ · US /ˈɑkwɪfɝ/
Etymology From aqui- + -fer.
1
An underground layer of water-bearing porous stone, earth, or gravel.
- The water in the well came from an aquifer.
- An aquifer is rock or sediment that holds groundwater – rain that is held below the surface of the soil and collected in empty spaces underground. Aquifers feed rivers to keep their flows at a healthy level, and are also important sources of water when reservoirs or other sources run low.2023 August 16, Helena Horton, “United Utilities fined £800,000 for taking 22bn litres of water from aquifer”, in The Guardian:
- Derived terms
- aquitard, artesian aquifer, N-aquifer
- Related terms
- oasis
- Coordinate terms
- aquitard