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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024wa•ter•works /ˈwɔtɚˌwɜrks, ˈwɑtɚ-/USA pronunciation n., pl. -works. - Civil Engineeringa system, as of reservoirs, pipelines, and the like, by which water is collected, purified, stored, and pumped to urban users: [countable; used with a singular verb]The waterworks is old and decrepit.[plural* used with a plural verb]Those old waterworks are falling apart.
- [Slang.]tears, or the source of tears:[plural* used with a plural verb]to turn on the waterworks to get some sympathy.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024wa•ter•works (wô′tər wûrks′, wot′ər-),USA pronunciation n., pl. -works. - Civil Engineering(used with a sing. or pl. v.) a complete system of reservoirs, pipelines, conduits, etc., by which water is collected, purified, stored, and pumped to urban users.
- Civil Engineering(used with a sing. v.) a pumping station or a purifying station of such a system.
- (usually used with a pl. v.) Sometimes, waterwork. a spectacular display of water, mechanically produced, as for a pageant.
- (used with a sing. or pl. v.) [Slang.]tears, or the source of tears:to turn on the waterworks.
- Slang Termsthe kidneys.
- 1400–50; late Middle English; see water, works
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: waterworks /ˈwɔːtəˌwɜːks/ n - (functioning as singular) an establishment for storing, purifying, and distributing water for community supply
- (functioning as plural) a display of water in movement, as in fountains
- (functioning as plural) Brit informal euphemistic the urinary system, esp with reference to its normal functioning
- (functioning as plural) informal crying; tears
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