Runoff

Pronunciation: /ˈrʌnˌɔf/

Definitions of runoff

noun the draining away of water (or substances carried in it) from the surface of an area of land, a building or structure, etc.

Example Sentences

A1 The runoff from the rain flowed down the street.

A2 After the storm, there was a lot of runoff in the fields.

B1 The runoff from the factory polluted the nearby river.

B2 The runoff from the construction site caused erosion in the area.

C1 The runoff of chemicals from the agricultural fields had devastating effects on the ecosystem.

C2 Efforts to control runoff in urban areas have led to improved water quality in rivers and lakes.

Examples of runoff in a Sentence

formal The runoff from the heavy rain caused flooding in the streets.

informal After the storm, there was a lot of runoff in the yard.

slang I slipped on the runoff from the sprinklers and fell on my butt.

figurative The runoff of ideas from the brainstorming session was impressive.

Grammatical Forms of runoff

• past tense: ran
• plural: runoffs
• comparative: more runoff
• superlative: most runoff
• present tense: run
• future tense: will runoff
• perfect tense: have run off
• continuous tense: is running off
• singular: runoff
• positive degree: runoff
• infinitive: to runoff
• gerund: running off
• participle: runoff

Origin and Evolution of runoff

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'runoff' is derived from the verb 'run off', which originated in Middle English.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe the action of running off or away, the term 'runoff' has evolved to refer to the flow of water or liquid off a surface, especially in the context of rainfall or irrigation.