hydration

American  

[hahy-dray-shuhn] / haɪˈdreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of supplying water to oneself, another person, or a part of the body.

2. the act or process of chemically hydrating something.

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Explanation

Hydration is what happens when something absorbs water. If your favorite plant is brown and droopy, it may need hydration — or it may be time to buy a new plant! Hydration comes from the verb hydrate, which was originally defined as "form a hydrate" (a chemical compound that includes water), but eventually came to also mean "to restore moisture." Whenever you moisten or add water to something, including drinking a nice big cold glass of water when you're thirsty, that's hydration.

Example Sentences

Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

First author Yunfei Teng notes that the team's "hydration lubrication" strategy may have applications beyond osmotic energy systems.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

When I book a facial while traveling, I’m not looking for heavy extractions or intensive treatments — just hydration and relaxation.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

Facing a $100 million revenue gap after federal budget cuts, one California affiliate of the organization is looking beyond reproductive health to attract a new clientele, offering IV hydration and Botox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

“We’ll see who’s happier about their hydration choices once we get going.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison