The water cycle, also called the hydrologic cycle, is a natural process by which water continuously moves through the atmosphere, land surface, and oceans. Here are the main steps in the water cycle:

1. Evaporation: Water in oceans, lakes, rivers, and soils is converted into water vapor by the heat of the sun. This vapor rises into the atmosphere.
2. Transpiration: Plants also release water vapor into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration, where water passes from plant leaves into the air.
3. Condensation: Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses into tiny droplets to form clouds. This process usually occurs at higher altitudes where the temperature is lower.
4. Precipitation: When water droplets in clouds become large enough, they fall back to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or drizzle, depending on weather conditions.
5. Infiltration and Percolation: Some of the precipitated water infiltrates into the soil, reaching groundwater and underground reservoirs. Water that penetrates the soil can move slowly through layers of rock and soil.