hydraulic

[hahy-draw-lik, -drol-ik]

adjective

1. operated by, moved by, or employing water or other liquids in motion.

2. operated by the pressure created by forcing water, oil, or another liquid through a comparatively narrow pipe or orifice.

3. of or relating to water or other liquids in motion.

4. of or relating to hydraulics.

5. hardening under water, as a cement.

hydraulic

/ haɪˈdrɒlɪk /

adjective

1. operated by pressure transmitted through a pipe by a liquid, such as water or oil

2. of, concerned with, or employing liquids in motion

3. of or concerned with hydraulics

4. hardening under water

   hydraulic cement

hydraulic

1. Operated by the pressure of water or other liquids. Hydraulic systems, such as hydraulic brakes, allow mechanical force to be transferred along curved paths (through pipes or tubes) that would be difficult for solid mechanisms, such as levers or cables, to negotiate efficiently.

2. Relating to hydraulics.

3. Capable of hardening under water, as cement.

hydraulic

1. A descriptive term for a system operated or moved by a fluid. The hydraulic jack, in which force is transmitted from a handle by means of a heavy oil, is probably the most familiar hydraulic device.

Other Word Forms

• hydraulically adverb
• nonhydraulic adjective
• unhydraulic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydraulic¹

1620–30; < Latin hydraulicus < Greek hydraulikós of a water organ. See hydraulus, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydraulic¹

C17: from Latin hydraulicus of a water organ, from Greek hudraulikos, from hudraulos water organ, from _hydro- + aulos pipe, reed instrument

Example Sentences

One of the DC-10 passenger plane’s engines fell off during takeoff, damaging hydraulics and causing the crew to lose control of the plane.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Both Liberty Energy and ProPetro, best known for their expertise in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, have jumped headlong into the data- center game.

Read more on Barron's

To do this, he had a machine called a hydraulic jack.

Read more on Literature

Elsewhere in the space, Boston Dynamics' hydraulic humanoid Atlas has captivated millions on YouTube with its gymnastics and dance routines.

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It is front-wheel drive, with independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes and pop-up headlights.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal