Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Water ordeal /wôt'-ẽr ôr-dēl'/ · Wa·ter or·de·al · IPA 01 n. Same as Ordeal by water. See the Note under Ordeal, n., 1. 1. Same as Ordeal by water. See the Note under Ordeal, n., 1. See: Ordeal