The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous process by which water moves through the Earth’s atmosphere, surface, and underground. It begins with the evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, and rivers, where it transforms into water vapor and rises into the atmosphere. This vapor cools and condenses to form clouds, eventually leading to precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. The precipitation replenishes water bodies and infiltrates the ground, becoming groundwater that feeds into springs, rivers, and eventually returning to oceans. This cycle is crucial for sustaining life on Earth, regulating weather patterns, and maintaining the balance of ecosystems by ensuring the distribution and availability of fresh water.