dewatering
|de-wa-ter-ing|
/ˌdiːˈwɔːtərɪŋ/
(dewater)
remove water
Etymology
'dewater' originates from English, formed by combining the prefix 'de-' and the noun 'water', where 'de-' meant 'remove' (a reversing or removing prefix) and 'water' meant 'water'.
'dewater' is a modern technical formation (19th–20th century) created by prefixing 'de-' to 'water'; the gerund/nominalized form 'dewatering' developed from this usage to name the process.
Initially formed to mean 'remove water' and it has retained that literal meaning, becoming specialized in engineering, mining, and wastewater-treatment contexts as a technical term.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or operation of removing water from soil, rock, a construction site, or an excavation (often by pumping, drainage, or wellpoint systems) to lower the groundwater level or keep an area dry.
Dewatering was necessary to keep the trench dry during the foundation works.
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Noun 2
in wastewater treatment and sludge management, the mechanical or physical removal of water from sludge (e.g., by centrifuges, belt presses, or filter presses) to reduce volume and improve handling.
The plant increased its dewatering capacity to reduce sludge transport costs.
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Last updated: 2025/09/08 01:25