water|logged /wɔː tə r lɒgd, [AM ] -lɔːgd/ also water-logged ADJ Something such as soil or land that is waterlogged is so wet that it cannot absorb any more water, so that a layer of water remains on its surface. □ The match is off because of a waterlogged pitch.
wa |ter main (water mains ) N‑COUNT A water main is a very large underground pipe used for supplying water to houses and factories.
water|mark /wɔː tə r mɑː r k/ (watermarks )
1 N‑COUNT A watermark is a design which is put into paper when it is made, and which you can only see if you hold the paper up to the light. Banknotes often have a watermark, to make them harder to copy illegally.
2 → see also high-water mark
wa |ter mead|ow (water meadows ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Water meadows are wet fields of grass near a river, which are often flooded. [mainly BRIT ]
water|melon /wɔː tə r melən/ (watermelons ) N‑VAR A watermelon is a large round fruit with green skin, pink flesh, and black seeds.
water|mill /wɔː tə r m I l/ (watermills ) also water mill N‑COUNT A watermill is a mill powered by a water wheel.
wa |ter pis|tol (water pistols ) N‑COUNT A water pistol is a small toy gun which shoots out water.
wa |ter polo N‑UNCOUNT Water polo is a game played in a swimming pool in which two teams of swimmers try to score goals with a ball.
water|proof /wɔː tə r pruːf/ (waterproofs , waterproofing , waterproofed )
1 ADJ Something which is waterproof does not let water pass through it. □ Take waterproof clothing–Orkney weather is unpredictable.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Waterproofs are items of clothing which do not let water in. [mainly BRIT ] □ For staying dry you'll want nice lightweight waterproofs to wear over your leathers.
3 VERB [usu passive] If something is waterproofed , it is treated so that water cannot pass through it or damage it. □ [be V -ed] The whole boat has been totally waterproofed.
wa |ter rate (water rates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] In Britain, the charges made for the use of water from the public water supply are known as the water rates .
wa ter-resistant ADJ Something that is water-resistant does not allow water to pass through it easily, or is not easily damaged by water. □ Microfibre fabrics are both water-resistant and windproof.
water|shed /wɔː tə r ʃed/ (watersheds )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something such as an event is a watershed in the history or development of something, it is very important because it represents the beginning of a new stage in it. □ [+ in ] The election of Mary Robinson in 1990 was a watershed in Irish politics.
2 N‑COUNT The watershed is a time before which television broadcasters have agreed not to show programmes unsuitable for children, for example programmes that contain scenes of sex or violence. [BRIT ] □ The advert should only be shown after the 9pm watershed.
water|side /wɔː tə r sa I d/ N‑SING [oft N n] The waterside is the area beside a stretch of water such as a river or lake. □ Her garden stretches down to the waterside.
wa ter-ski (water-skis , water-skiing , water-skied ) also waterski VERB If you water-ski , you stand on skis in the water while being pulled along by a boat. □ [V ] The staff will be happy to help arrange for you to swim, sail, or water-ski. ● water-skiing N‑UNCOUNT □ He offered to teach them water-skiing.
wa ter-so luble also water soluble ADJ Something that is water-soluble dissolves in water. □ Vitamin C is water soluble. □ …oat bran and other water-soluble fibres.
wa |ter sup|ply (water supplies ) N‑COUNT The water supply in an area is the water which is collected and passed through pipes to buildings for people to use. □ The town is without electricity and the water supply has been cut off.
wa |ter ta|ble (water tables ) N‑COUNT The water table is the level below the surface of the ground where water can be found. □ Environmentalists say that diverting water from the river will lower the water table.
water|tight /wɔː tə r ta I t/ also water-tight
1 ADJ Something that is watertight does not allow water to pass through it, for example because it is tightly sealed. □ The flask is completely watertight, even when laid on its side.
2 ADJ A watertight case, argument, or agreement is one that has been so carefully put together that nobody will be able to find a fault in it. □ The police had a watertight case. They even got his fingerprints from that glass cabinet.
wa |ter tow|er (water towers ) N‑COUNT A water tower is a large tank of water which is placed on a high metal structure so that water can be supplied at a steady pressure to surrounding buildings.
wa |ter vole (water voles ) N‑COUNT A water vole is a small furry animal that can swim. Water voles live in holes in the banks of rivers. [mainly BRIT ]
water|way /wɔː tə r we I / (waterways ) N‑COUNT A waterway is a canal, river, or narrow channel of sea which ships or boats can sail along.
wa |ter wheel (water wheels ) also waterwheel N‑COUNT A water wheel is a large wheel which is turned by water flowing through it. Water wheels are used to provide power to drive machinery.
water|works /wɔː tə r wɜː r ks/ (waterworks ) N‑COUNT A waterworks is a building where a supply of water is stored and cleaned before being distributed to the public.
wa|tery /wɔː təri/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is watery is weak or pale. □ A watery light began to show through the branches. □ Martha managed to produce a dim, watery smile.