hydro-

¹ American  

1. a combining form meaning “water,” used in the formation of compound words.

   hydroplane; hydrogen.

---

hydro- ² American  

1. a combining form representing hydrogen in compound words, denoting especially a combination of hydrogen with some negative element or radical.

   hydrobromic.

---

hydro ³ American  

[hahy-droh] / ˈhaɪ droʊ /

noun

PLURAL

hydros

1. Informal.  hydroelectric power.

2. Informal.  hydroplane.

3. British.

   1. a bathhouse, hotel, or resort catering to people taking mineral-water health cures; spa.

   2. an establishment furnishing hydrotherapy.

---

adjective

1. Informal.  of, relating to, or furnishing water, water power, or hydroelectricity.

   funds for new hydro projects.

hydro ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a hotel or resort, often near a spa, offering facilities for hydropathic treatment

---

hydro ² British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

adjective

1. short for hydroelectric

---

noun

1. a Canadian name for electricity when it is supplied to a residence, business, institution, etc

Hydro ³ British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

noun

1. (esp in Canada) a hydroelectric power company or board

---

hydro- ⁴ British  

combining form

1. indicating or denoting water, liquid, or fluid

   hydrolysis

   hydrodynamics

2. indicating the presence of hydrogen in a chemical compound

   hydrochloric acid

3. indicating a hydroid

   hydrozoan

---

hydro– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means: “water” (as in hydroelectric) or “hydrogen,” (as in hydrochloride).

---

Usage

What does hydro- mean? Hydro- is a combining form used like a prefix that has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is “water,” and this form of hydro- is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms. Hydro- comes from Greek hýdōr, meaning “water.”The second of these senses is “hydrogen,” and this form of hydro- is occasionally used in a variety of scientific terms, especially in chemistry. Hydrogen, the lightest of the elements, combines with oxygen to form water. The word hydrogen comes from French hydrogène. The suffix -gen, or its equivalent in French, means "that which produces." Hydrogen literally translates to "that which produces water."What are variants of hydro-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hydro- becomes hydr-, as in hydrant. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on hydr-.

Etymology

Origin of hydro-¹

< Greek, combining form of hýdōr water

Origin of hydro¹

1880–85; by shortening of compounds with hydro- ¹ ( -o ); hydro ( def. 4 ) hydro- ¹ analyzed as an adj.

Example Sentences

But climate change is hitting the region hard, triggering water shortages that hobble the vast Toktogul hydro power plant and lead to electricity shortages.

From Barron's

It said Zelenskiy also told Grossi about problems caused by Russian attacks at the Dnipro hydro plant and said Grossi's role in upholding energy security in Ukraine was "extraordinarily important".

From Reuters

Successive droughts have reduced Lake Kariba’s level so much that the Kariba South Hydro Power Station, which provides Zimbabwe with about 70% of its electricity, is currently producing just 300 megawatts, far less than its capacity of 1,050 megawatts.

From Seattle Times

The greeting took place ahead of Thursday's Snoop Dogg gig at The Hydro venue in the city.

From BBC

Ksi Lisims, proposed as a 12-MTPA plant, will achieve net-zero through a fully electrified facility that utilizes renewable hydro power and carbon offsetting, spokesperson Rebecca Scott said.

From Reuters