aquifer

noun

UK /ˈækwɪfə/

US /ˈækwəfər/

An aquifer is a layer of rock or sand under the ground that holds water.

The town gets its drinking water from a deep aquifer.

SYNONYMS

water-bearing rock groundwater reservoir water table underground reservoir

RELATED WORDS

groundwater well spring permeable rock water table

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A geological formation that can store and transmit water in usable quantities.

Geologists mapped the sandstone aquifer across the region.

3. Any body of rock or sediment saturated with groundwater.

The aquifer beneath the desert is recharged by rare rainstorms.

4. A natural underground storage system for fresh water.

Farmers rely on the aquifer to irrigate their crops during dry months.