Put simply, aquaculture is the farming of freshwater and marine plants and animals. Evidently, all aquaculture is done in water and, because it is a farming activity, involves the considerations of property (i.e. the farmer owns the products) and activity (i.e. work is done in order to raise the animals or plants). The term also implies that a degree of control is exercised on the conditions of rearing.

Aquaculture is a word that combines these concepts but includes many different technologies, arts and sciences that enable the activity.

• Aqua = water
• Culture = The breeding or growing of animals or plants

Sometimes, the terms "aquiculture" and "aquafarming" are also used.