drip line

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   The outer edge of a tree's branches, where rainwater drips to the ground, marking the best place to water the roots.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a drip line' or 'the drip lines of several trees.'

   Patterns

   • the drip line of a tree
   • water at the drip line

   Fertilize the tree at its drip line, where the roots can absorb nutrients best.

   The grass under the drip line stays green even in dry weather.

   Measure from the trunk to the drip line to find the root zone.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A tube or hose with small holes that releases water slowly and directly onto plant roots.

   Grammar: Countable: often used in the plural for a system, e.g. 'install drip lines.'

   Patterns

   • install a drip line
   • a drip line system

   We installed a drip line to water the vegetable beds efficiently.

   A drip line saves water by delivering it right to the roots.

   Check the drip line for clogs at the start of each season.

Word forms

Common combinations

tree drip line

The tree drip line shows where the feeder roots end.

install a drip line

They installed a drip line around the rose bushes.

drip line irrigation

Drip line irrigation uses less water than sprinklers.

at the drip line

Apply mulch at the drip line, not against the trunk.

Synonyms and how they differ

drip irrigation

Drip irrigation refers to the whole watering method; a drip line is just the tube used in that method.

soaker hose

A soaker hose weeps water along its whole length, while a drip line usually has individual emitters or holes.

Commonly confused: drip line or drip line (tree) vs. drip line (irrigation)?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “drip line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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