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
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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.
marveled at the ancient Roman aqueducts that still carry water to distant villages
Recent Examples on the WebIt is best known as the focal point of a historic feud that began in the early 1900s, when Los Angeles city agents quietly bought up ranch lands and water rights for an aqueduct to quench the thirst of the growing metropolis 200 miles to the south. Louis Sahagúnstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2022 The Hadrian aqueduct was once used as a main source of water, using a system of pipes that worked with gravity to allow water to flow from its source to the city for human consumption. Angela Dewan, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 Paris opened a 97-mile aqueduct carrying clean drinking water to the capital.New York Times, 20 May 2022 Cole’s crumbling ancient castle tower atop a ruined Roman aqueduct conjures the decadence of empire.Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2021 In the early 1900s, Los Angeles, growing fast and running out of water, bought land along either side of the Owens River, then built an aqueduct diverting the river’s water 230 miles south to Los Angeles.New York Times, 7 June 2022 The torrent would have swept away piers supporting the aqueduct had a passing train on the island railroad not gone off its tracks and partly plugged the gap. David Owen, The New Yorker, 11 May 2022 The city has permission to use alum this fall when work on a tunnel under the Hudson River will require the temporary disconnection of the aqueduct for the neighboring Delaware watershed. Michael Hill, ajc, 21 Apr. 2022 Archaeologists announced the discovery, at the Armenian archaeological site of Artashat-Artaxata, of the easternmost Roman aqueduct. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Latin aquaeductus, from aquae (genitive of aqua) + ductus act of leading — more at duct