hydro-

¹

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

   hydroplane; hydrogen.

hydro-

²

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

   hydrobromic.

hydro

³

[ hahy-droh ]

noun

, plural hy·dros

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

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

²

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

adjective

1. See hydroelectric
   short for hydroelectric

noun

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

hydro

³

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

noun

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

Hydro

⁴

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊ /

noun

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

hydro–

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydro-¹

< Greek, combining form of hýdōr water

Origin of hydro-²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydro-¹

from Greek hudōr water

Example Sentences

Long-range, high-voltage transmission lines also enable more development of solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal plants in the regions blessed with the weather, geology, or waterways to supply them.

From MIT Technology Review

It’s starting from a low base of installed capacity, however, far behind coal, gas, hydro, nuclear—even wind, which has been cheap for longer.

From MIT Technology Review

A Bitcoin analyst and self-professed “hippie miner,” Jason Deane uses computers that run exclusively on hydro power—though this eco-friendly setup is likely the exception, not the rule.

From Popular-Science

Renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, will account for less than 10 percent, with the remainder, about 18 percent of the power mix, coming primarily from hydro-electric power.

From Science News

The field is formed by movements of liquified iron and nickel within the planet’s core, a phenomenon called magneto-hydro-dynamics that geophysicists are still working to fully understand.

From Nautilus

Canada has abundant hydro potential — and in fact Manitoba and Quebec have abundant hydro for sale right now.

From The Daily Beast

Here, however, it's worth noting that heavy use of emissions-free hydro power correlates strongly with lower power rates.

From The Daily Beast

Alaska Electric Light and Power got a 24 percent residential rate hike to deal with inflation and to build a new hydro project.

From The Daily Beast

A large number of these mills are actuated hydraulically or hydro-electrically.

From Project Gutenberg

The hydro-electric industry has been largely nationalized by those who are foremost in it.

From Project Gutenberg

Retinol, ret′i-nol, n. a hydro-carbon oil used in printers' ink.

From Project Gutenberg

Next to my flight in the hydro-aeroplane this was the greatest experience of my life.

From Project Gutenberg

On this supposition the positive impulse is to be regarded as hydro-mechanical.

From Project Gutenberg