1. a system of reservoirs, pumps, and pipes for supplying water to a community
Usage: often used with singular verb
2. tears or crying
Usage: informal; often in phrase ‘turn on the waterworks’

Examples

• The city’s waterworks needed major repairs after the earthquake.
• He works as an engineer at the municipal waterworks.
• The old waterworks building has been converted into a museum.
• She turned on the waterworks when she didn’t get her way.
• Don’t let him fool you with those waterworks – he’s just pretending to cry.
• The waterworks supplies clean drinking water to over 100,000 residents.