Definition of "waterworks" in English

noun

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. 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. Rain.

5. The genitourinary system.

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.

7. (construction, archaic) Engineering works relating to the conveyance and flow of fluids (principally water), such as the collection and distribution of water, drainage, irrigation, etc.

noun

1. plural of waterwork