hydro

[ hahy-droh ]

noun,plural hy·dros for 2, 3.

Informal. hydroelectric power.
Informal. hydroplane.

British.
- a bathhouse, hotel, or resort catering to people taking mineral-water health cures; spa.
- an establishment furnishing hydrotherapy.

adjective

Informal. of, relating to, or furnishing water, water power, or hydroelectricity: funds for new hydro projects.

Origin of hydro

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

Other definitions for hydro- (2 of 3)

hydro-¹

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

Origin of hydro-

<Greek, combining form of hýdōr water

Also especially before a vowel, hydr-¹.

Other definitions for hydro- (3 of 3)

hydro-²

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

Also especially before a vowel, hydr-².

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hydro in a sentence

Canada has abundant hydro potential — and in fact Manitoba and Quebec have abundant hydro for sale right now.
Why Blow our Money on Wind Power? | David Frum | January 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Here, however, it's worth noting that heavy use of emissions-free hydro power correlates strongly with lower power rates.
'All of the Above' Is a Terrible Strategy | Justin Green | October 24, 2012 | 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.
Electric Bills About To Spike | Laura Colarusso | October 5, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
A large number of these mills are actuated hydraulically or hydro-electrically.
Mexico | Charles Reginald Enock
The hydro-electric industry has been largely nationalized by those who are foremost in it.
Proceedings of the Second National Conservation Congress | Various

Retinol, ret′i-nol, n. a hydro-carbon oil used in printers' ink.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
Next to my flight in the hydro-aeroplane this was the greatest experience of my life.
The Spell of Switzerland | Nathan Haskell Dole
On this supposition the positive impulse is to be regarded as hydro-mechanical.
Life Movements in Plants | Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose

British Dictionary definitions for hydro (1 of 4)

hydro¹

/ (ˈhaɪdrəʊ) /

nounplural -dros

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

British Dictionary definitions for hydro (2 of 4)

hydro²

/ (ˈhaɪdrəʊ) /

adjective

short for hydroelectric

noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for Hydro (3 of 4)

Hydro

/ (ˈhaɪdrəʊ) /

noun

(esp in Canada) a hydroelectric power company or board

British Dictionary definitions for hydro- (4 of 4)

hydro-

combining form

indicating or denoting water, liquid, or fluid: hydrolysis; hydrodynamics
indicating the presence of hydrogen in a chemical compound: hydrochloric acid

indicating a hydroid: hydrozoan

Origin of hydro-

⁴

from Greek hudōr water

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for hydro-

hydro-

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

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