waterworks

noun

1. The water supply system of a district, town, city, or other place, including reservoirs, pipes, and pumps.
2. Any single facility, such as a filtration plant or pumping station, within such a system.

   “She is employed by a waterworks at the outskirts of the city.”

3. (figuratively, informal)Often in the form turn on the waterworks: crying or tears, especially in a way that is considered manipulative or over-emotional.

   “She turned on the waterworks when we told her the old man was dead, but she was asking questions about the will soon enough.”

4. (figuratively, informal)Rain.
5. (British, euphemistic, figuratively)The genitourinary system.
6. (historical)A hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.

   “Resolving to possess myself in some quiet if it might be, in a time of so great jealosy, I built by my Brother's permission a study, made a fishpond, an island, and some other solitudes and retirements, at Wotton, which gave the first occasion of improving them to those water-works and gardens which afterwards succeeded them.”

7. (archaic)Engineering works relating to the conveyance and flow of fluids (principally water), such as the collection and distribution of water, drainage, irrigation, etc.
8. (form-of, plural)plural of waterwork