artesian well

noun

1. a well in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum overlaid by impermeable rock.

artesian well

/ ɑːˈtiːzɪən; -ʒən /

noun

1. a well sunk through impermeable strata into strata receiving water from an area at a higher altitude than that of the well, so that there is sufficient pressure to force water to flow upwards

artesian well

/ är-tē′zhən /

1. A deep well that passes through impermeable rock or sediment and reaches water that is held under pressure in a confined aquifer. In aquifers of this type, the water in the lower regions is trapped between two layers of impermeable rock and cannot rise to the level of the water table in the upper, unconfined regions. When a well penetrates the confined region, the pressure forces the water to rise within the well until it reaches the elevation of the water table in the unconfined region (a level known as the potentiometric surface).
2. ◆ In a flowing artesian well the water is under enough pressure to rise all the way to the surface without being pumped and must be capped to control the flow.

Word History and Origins

Origin of artesian well¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Word History and Origins

Origin of artesian well¹

C19: from French artésien, from Old French Arteis Artois, old province, where such wells were common

Example Sentences

Four years later this company employed Colonel Drake to drill an artesian well.

From Project Gutenberg

The men there guarded an artesian well whose water spouted up like a fountain.

From Project Gutenberg

The window looked out upon the skeleton-like tower of the artesian well and the cook-house and dairy-house close beside it.

From Project Gutenberg

On the summit of the skeleton-like tower of the artesian well, the windmill was turning steadily in a breeze from the southwest.

From Project Gutenberg

At intervals, the aer-motor on the artesian well creaked audibly, as it turned in a languid breeze from the northeast.

From Project Gutenberg