water works

Noun

waterworks (plural waterworks)

1. The water supply system of a district, town, city, or other place, including reservoirs, pipes, and pumps.
2. (treated as singular) Any single facility, such as a filtration plant or pumping station, within such a system.
   • She is employed by a waterworks at the outskirts of the city.
3. (figuratively, informal) Often in the form turn on the waterworks: crying or tears, especially in a way that is considered manipulative or over-emotional.
   • She turned on the waterworks when we told her the old man was dead, but she was asking questions about the will soon enough.
4. (figuratively, informal) Rain.
5. (UK, euphemistic, figuratively) The genitourinary system.

   Synonyms:

   plumbing

6. (historical, treated as singular) A hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.
   • Resolving to possess myself in some quiet if it might be, in a time of so great jealosy, I built by my Brother's permission a study, made a fishpond, an island, and some other solitudes and retirements, at Wotton, which gave the first occasion of improving them to those water-works and gardens...1643 May 11 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 2 May 1643]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I...

See all 7 meanings of waterworks