Phrase guide

drip line

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

On the table of nuclides, the limit beyond which an atomic nucleus will immediately decay by emitting a proton or neutron.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: nuclear physics

Examples

  • Hydrogen-7 has so many excess neutrons that it lies beyond the neutron drip line, and will spit out neutrons until it becomes a particle-bound isotope.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The area defined by the outermost circumference of a tree canopy from where water drips onto the ground.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 2010, instructions on bottle of Ortho Weed B Gon Max Be particularly careful applying within the drip line of trees and other ornamental species.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A pipe that has small holes at intervals, used to irrigate crops.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.