water main

noun

: a pipe or conduit for conveying water

Examples of water main in a Sentence

The water main burst and flooded the street.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The water main break was the latest in Los Angeles over the last few months as officials struggle with aging infrastructure and failing water systems that have caused major disruptions for motorists and residents. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Wild aerial footage showed a sinkhole that swallowed a van in Hollywood after a water main burst on Wednesday. — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The project involved replacing nearly 9,000 feet of aging water main with a larger diameter pipe to ensure long-term drinking water safety, stabilize system pressure and enhance fire protection with 10 fire hydrants. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the northern Montgomery County city to issue a boil-water notice after a water main broke and the system lost pressure. — Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for water main

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water main was in 1776

Rhymes for water main

See All Rhymes for water main

Browse Nearby Words

water lung
water main
water mallow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Water main.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20main. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on water main

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water main

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