Definition

1. Noun (plural, but often used with singular or plural verb agreement):
   • A system of structures and equipment for treating and supplying water to a community: This refers to the entire infrastructure, including reservoirs, pumping stations, purification plants, and pipes, managed as a public utility.
   • (Informal) Tearful crying, especially when perceived as excessive or manipulative: This figurative use likens the act of crying to the operation of a fountain or water system.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the water supply system:

  • The city is investing millions to upgrade its aging waterworks.
  • A fault at the local waterworks has caused a temporary disruption to the supply.

• Referring to crying (informal):

  • Whenever she doesn't get her way, she turns on the waterworks.
  • He turned off the waterworks as soon as he got the candy.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term is plural in form ("works" implies an industrial plant or operation) but can be treated as singular when referring to the utility system as a single entity (e.g., "The waterworks is located north of town").
• The informal meaning ("crying") is almost always used with verbs like "turn on," "start," or "turn off," treating the tears as a system that can be activated or deactivated.

Variants and Related Words

• Waterwork (noun, rare): An individual structure or piece of apparatus in a water supply system, or an ornamental fountain.
• Water utility: A more formal synonym for the public service aspect of a waterworks.

Synonyms

• For the utility: water supply system, water utility, aqueduct system (in part).
• For crying (informal): tears, weeping, blubbering (informal), watery display (humorous).

Idioms and Phrases

• To turn on the waterworks: To start crying, often deliberately to gain sympathy or an advantage.
  • She turned on the waterworks when the teacher asked for her homework.
• To turn off the waterworks: To stop crying.
  • I told him a joke to try and turn off the waterworks.

Noun

1. workplace where water is stored and purified and distributed for a community
2. a public utility that provides water