hydrologic cycle
noun
: the sequence of conditions through which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water surfaces and ultimately back into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation and transpiration
called also hydrological cycle, water cycle
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But these are all predictions based on ever-evolving computer models trying to gauge how a warmer globe will affect — in terms of feet, if not mere inches — the hydrologic cycle of our lakes. 
Dan Egan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2021 Giant sequoias, like all trees, play a central role in the hydrologic cycle. Thayer Walker, Scientific American, 29 Dec. 2016 Like Earth, Titan has an atmosphere, surface lakes (albeit ones filled with methane) and a hydrologic cycle similar to our planet. Fox News, 5 Dec. 2019 The cooling would slow the hydrologic cycle and decrease rainfall by 15% to 30% percent globally, with impacts varying in different regions. Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2019 Irvine's team set out to see whether a more plausible geoengineering scheme might minimize negative impacts on the hydrologic cycle. Scott K. Johnson, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2019 Given the fact that this atmospheric water is constantly replenishing due to the planet's hydrologic cycle, the Venice Beach, California—company has created a system that is unlikely at the current moment to effect the atmosphere negatively. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 22 Oct. 2018 In particular, there are worries deforestation will upset the hydrologic cycle in certain places, threatening water supplies and hydroelectric power generation. The Economist, 17 May 2018 In fact, Earth was previously Hoth-like as recently as 700 million years ago: Ice expanded all the way to the equator, and there was no hydrologic cycle because the oceans were frozen over. Scott Denning, Washington Post, 4 May 2018 See More
Dan Egan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2021 Giant sequoias, like all trees, play a central role in the hydrologic cycle. Thayer Walker, Scientific American, 29 Dec. 2016 Like Earth, Titan has an atmosphere, surface lakes (albeit ones filled with methane) and a hydrologic cycle similar to our planet. Fox News, 5 Dec. 2019 The cooling would slow the hydrologic cycle and decrease rainfall by 15% to 30% percent globally, with impacts varying in different regions. Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2019 Irvine's team set out to see whether a more plausible geoengineering scheme might minimize negative impacts on the hydrologic cycle. Scott K. Johnson, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2019 Given the fact that this atmospheric water is constantly replenishing due to the planet's hydrologic cycle, the Venice Beach, California—company has created a system that is unlikely at the current moment to effect the atmosphere negatively. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 22 Oct. 2018 In particular, there are worries deforestation will upset the hydrologic cycle in certain places, threatening water supplies and hydroelectric power generation. The Economist, 17 May 2018 In fact, Earth was previously Hoth-like as recently as 700 million years ago: Ice expanded all the way to the equator, and there was no hydrologic cycle because the oceans were frozen over. Scott Denning, Washington Post, 4 May 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined above