hydrodynamics

American  

[hahy-droh-dahy-nam-iks, -di-] / ˌhaɪ droʊ daɪˈnæm ɪks, -dɪ- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of fluid dynamics that deals with liquids, including hydrostatics and hydrokinetics.

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hydrodynamics British  

/ -dɪ-, ˌhaɪdrəʊdaɪˈnæmɪks /

noun

1. Also called: hydromechanics.  (functioning as singular) the branch of science concerned with the mechanical properties of fluids, esp liquids See also hydrokinetics hydrostatics

2. another name for hydrokinetics

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hydrodynamics Scientific  

/ hī′drō-dī-năm′ĭks /

1. The scientific study of the motion of fluids, especially noncompressible liquids, under the influence of internal and external forces. Hydrodynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics and has many applications in engineering.

2. Compare aerodynamics hydrostatics

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Etymology

Origin of hydrodynamics

hydro- ¹ + dynamics

Example Sentences

To capture all of this complexity, Yang and colleagues combined atmospheric chemistry with hydrodynamics in a single model.

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

Prof Mehmet Atlar, an expert in hydrodynamics at Strathclyde University, believes there was a lot of initial interest in the design with an order book starting to grow.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

“But at the same time, whales and sharks swim in such different ways that it is naturally going to affect the hydrodynamics around them.”

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2025

The study also recorded new deep-sea behaviors including manta rays hugging the bottom of the seabed—perhaps to reduce predation risk, improve hydrodynamics, or navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field.

From National Geographic • Oct. 23, 2023

As the most active agents are fluids, elastic fluids, heat, light, and electricity, he ought to have a general knowledge of mechanics, hydrodynamics, pneumatics, optics, and electricity. 

From Consolations in Travel or, the Last Days of a Philosopher by Morley, Henry