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

"Predicting the extent of such mega-floods is very difficult," says Prof. Günter Blöschl from the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at TU Wien, who led the project.

From Science Daily • Nov. 10, 2023

Hydraulic brakes brought the bike to a swift stop at the bottom of a ‌steep slope in the park.

From New York Times • Oct. 12, 2022

Hydraulic fracturing involves drilling into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals at a rock layer in order to release the gas inside.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2022

Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, is a common practice used to extract more oil and natural gas by injecting highly pressurized water, sand and a medley of toxic chemicals into underground rock formations.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2022

Hydraulic engineering was a major concern for the first engineers, such as Leonardo, and consequently an immediate one for Galileo and his disciples.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton