acequia

[ uh-sey-kyuh; Spanish ah-se-kyah ]

noun

, Southwestern U.S.

, plural a·ce·quias [uh, -, sey, -ky, uh, z, ah-, se, -kyahs].

1. an irrigation ditch.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acequia¹

1835–45, Americanism; < Spanish < Arabic al-sāqiyah the irrigation ditch

Example Sentences

We passed over acequias — a system of communal irrigation ditches originating with the Moors that New Mexico’s farmers have used for centuries.

From Los Angeles Times

There are about dozen more acequias on the list.

From Seattle Times

Garcia, the executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, a nonprofit that works to protect the state’s 700 or so acequias, or irrigation ditches, said she attributed her community’s persistence to “pure grit.”

From Seattle Times

Ranchers say they are feeling the pinch, and farmers who rely on traditional irrigation systems called acequias say they’re worried about having water for crops next spring.

From Seattle Times

Dry soil soaks up runoff before it reaches streams and rivers that feed acequias.

From Seattle Times