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water cycle
This term is a technical scientific compound used primarily in geography, meteorology, and environmental science. It describes a closed-loop system, emphasizing the perpetual movement and transformation of water between different states of matter and locations on Earth.
In educational contexts, it is often used as a foundational concept to explain larger ecological processes. Because it refers to a singular, global planetary process, it is almost exclusively used in the singular form.
Meanings
The continuous process by which water moves from the earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
The water cycle is essential for distributing freshwater across the planet.