What is the process of water evaporation from the leaves of a plant called?

Transpiration is the process through which water is absorbed by plant roots, moves through the plant, and eventually evaporates from small openings in the leaves, known as stomata. This process is crucial for plants as it helps in the uptake of nutrients from the soil and plays a significant role in regulating water loss and plant temperature. Transpiration also contributes to the water cycle by returning water vapor to the atmosphere.

In contrast, evaporation refers to the transformation of liquid water into water vapor from any surface, not specifically involving plants. Condensation involves the conversion of water vapor back into liquid water, and precipitation is the process through which water falls from the atmosphere to the ground, typically as rain, snow, or sleet. Hence, transpiration uniquely describes the specific mechanism of water movement and evaporation associated with plant leaves.