'aqueduct' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aquaeductus', where 'aqua' meant 'water' and 'ducere' (root of 'ductus') meant 'to lead'.

'aqueduct' changed from the Latin word 'aquaeductus' and via Old French 'aqueduc' (and Middle English forms such as 'aquaduct') eventually became the modern English word 'aqueduct'.

Initially it meant 'a leading of water' (the act or means of leading water), but over time it came to mean the physical structure or channel for conveying water, i.e. 'a channel/structure for carrying water'.