hydraulic

American  

[hahy-draw-lik, -drol-ik] / haɪˈdrɔ lɪk, -ˈdrɒl ɪk /

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.

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hydraulic British  

/ 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

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hydraulic Scientific  

/ hī-drô′lĭk /

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.

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hydraulic Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• hydraulically adverb
• nonhydraulic adjective
• unhydraulic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hydraulic

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

Explanation

The adjective hydraulic refers to a process using pressurized water or other fluid to generate great mechanical power, without the wear and tear of gears or levers. Hydraulic systems are popular for use in heavy-duty machinery. It might seem odd that the original Greek word hydraulikós from which hydraulic comes referred to water (hydra) and also to a musical instrument made from a hollow tube (aulos). You might ask, "What's a musical instrument got to do with hydraulics?" Well, you can see the connection when you know that something that's hydraulic means it is operated through the pressure of water or liquid through a pipe or hose, easily generating great force (instead of music).

Example Sentences

World champion Norris has been beset by reliability problems this weekend, losing much of second practice to a hydraulic failure and half of final practice with another battery failure.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Left with no idea how to wrap itself up, “Undertone” throws every one of those horror tropes under a hydraulic press, shoving them together, hoping that the result will be prettier than just polished garbage.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

The scientists interpret this subsidence as evidence of a previously unknown hydraulic connection between Santorini and the nearby Kolumbo volcano.

From Science Daily • Feb. 17, 2026

Much of that growth came from unconventional drilling, including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling from geologic formations such as shale rock.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

The theory also notes that any big, complex system for irrigation or hydraulic management requires a centralized bureaucracy to construct and maintain it.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond