drip irrigation

American  

noun

1. a system of crop irrigation involving the controlled delivery of water directly to individual plants through a network of tubes or pipes.

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Etymology

Origin of drip irrigation

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The American Farm Bureau Federation says on its website that farmers can reduce water use by up to 40% by getting moisture directly to each plant through drip irrigation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 26, 2025

The Almond Board of California reported that one almond grower had to replace their entire drip irrigation system for $20,000 and that the rats had caused fires by chewing through the irrigation wiring.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

Agriculture, which uses the vast majority of the world’s fresh water, can deploy well-tested technologies like drip irrigation, as Israel has, that sharply cut use by as much as 50%.

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2025

She installed a drip irrigation system and pays Musson monthly for water, although she said she doesn’t use much.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2024

To use drip irrigation it is not necessary to invest in pipes, emitters, filters, pressure regulators, and so forth.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve