water mill

noun

: a mill whose machinery is moved by water

Examples of water mill in a Sentence

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 early ones like wind and water mills had evolved over centuries in ancient civilizations. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026 However, the water mills on the River Len, from where the house gets its name, are known to be much older than that. — Laura Euler For Dirt.com, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2021 Cells have rigged up all kinds of molecular machines that, like water mills on rivers, take advantage of proton currents coming into the cell. — Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026 But while water mills rely on the movement of the tide, PacWave will be focusing on surface waves in the open ocean, Hales said. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024 The Conte will find you regardless—whether in the gardens, the chapel, along the river, or by the water mill—ready to tell you exactly how this land fed Venice, sheltered its people, and outlasted its republic. — Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2026 In fact, French newspaper Le Monde reported, the group had actually hacked a water mill in a small village and caused its water level to drop by 20 centimeters. — Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water mill was in the 14th century

Rhymes for water mill

See All Rhymes for water mill

Browse Nearby Words

water-milfoil family
water mill
water-millet
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Cite this Entry

“Water mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20mill. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on water mill

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water mill

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