heavy water

noun

1

: the compound D₂O composed of deuterium and oxygen

called also deuterium oxide

2

: water enriched in deuterium

Examples of heavy water in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its supply of heavy water had come from a single plant in Norway that was destroyed in 1944. — Mike McRae 06, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026

Even without rising temperatures caused by the use of fossil fuels, heavy water use is putting major strain on the West’s rivers, streams and groundwater aquifers, Williams said. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The law also added a requirement that heavy water users (over 100,000 gallons a day) must use reclaimed water, or water that has been used and cleaned, to offset their use of fresh, drinkable water. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

State lawmakers have been responding to public concern about data centers, which often center around their heavy water use. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heavy water

• imprimatur
• underwater
• auteur
• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter

Kids Definition

heavy water

noun

: water enriched in deuterium

Medical Definition

heavy water

noun

1

: the compound D₂O composed of deuterium and oxygen

called also deuterium oxide

2

: water having a higher-than-usual proportion of deuterium among its hydrogen atoms