hydroelectric

[ hahy-droh-i-lek-trik ]

/ ˌhaɪ droʊ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

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See synonyms for: hydroelectricity on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to the generation and distribution of electricity derived from the energy of falling water or any other hydraulic source.

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Origin of hydroelectric

First recorded in 1825–35; hydro-¹ + electric

OTHER WORDS FROM hydroelectric

hy·dro·e·lec·tric·i·ty

[hahy-droh-i-lek-tris-i-tee, -ee-lek-], /ˌhaɪ droʊ ɪ lɛkˈtrɪs ɪ ti, -ˌi lɛk-/, noun

Words nearby hydroelectric

HydroDiuril, hydrodynamic, hydrodynamicist, hydrodynamics, hydroelastic suspension, hydroelectric, hydrofluoric, hydrofluoric acid, hydrofluorocarbon, hydrofoil, hydroforming

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

How to use hydroelectric in a sentence

Lake Mead feeds Hoover Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric generating facilities in the country.
Why we all have to heed the Colorado River water cuts|Purbita Saha|August 19, 2021|Popular-Science
A national network of short spur lines and long-distance, high-voltage wires would deliver wind, solar and hydroelectric power to where it’s needed when it’s available across the country.
The $1 trillion infrastructure bill is a baby step toward the US grid we need|James Temple|August 5, 2021|MIT Technology Review
It also built the massive Three Gorges Dam, which diverted the Yangtze River and displaced more than a million people to create the world’s biggest hydroelectric power plant.
Mayor Pete and Elaine Chao Hit the Road (Ep. 471)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 5, 2021|Freakonomics
Brazil is also heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, and lower levels in the country’s reservoirs, lakes and rivers will hinder electricity generation.
Herd Community: Modern-Day Ranching|Sean Culligan|July 2, 2021|Ozy

Water levels tend to be high in June thanks to snow runoff, which means plenty of hydroelectric capacity at regional dams.
How The Extreme Heat in the Pacific Northwest Is Taxing Electric Grids (and People's Air Conditioners)|Alejandro de la Garza|June 30, 2021|Time
We made big things like steel for ships and tractors and turbines for hydroelectric plants.
Christmas Is the New Subprime|Doug McIntyre|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To make a living, he gets a job as a manager at a hydroelectric plant.
Nothing Was Banal About Eichmann’s Evil, Says a Scathing New Biography|Michael Signer|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Greetings from Manitoba, the Saudi Arabia of untapped hydroelectric potential.
Let's Dam Manitoba|David Frum|March 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
My National Post column urges the government of Ontario to consider hydroelectric power instead of wind turbines.
Why Blow our Money on Wind Power?|David Frum|January 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The great hydroelectric dams, the hundreds of steam turbines, the heavy-metal atomic reactors—all useless for power purposes.
Unwise Child|Gordon Randall Garrett
We shall then have an opportunity that never before has been given us to develop the hydroelectric possibilities of the country.
Conservation Through Engineering|Franklin K. Lane
The other ten per cent according to the Commission's plan will be hydroelectric power.
The Coming of Coal|Robert W. Bruere
Maybe Crane figured Taber's scalp was too small a price to pay for the hydroelectric plum.
Ten From Infinity|Paul W. Fairman
The rivers have a high potential for the generation of hydroelectric power.
Area Handbook for Romania|Eugene K. Keefe, Donald W. Bernier, Lyle E. Brenneman, William Giloane, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole

British Dictionary definitions for hydroelectric

hydroelectric

/ (ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlɛktrɪk) /

adjective

generated by the pressure of falling waterhydroelectric power

of or concerned with the generation of electricity by water pressurea hydroelectric scheme

Derived forms of hydroelectric

hydroelectricity (ˌhaɪdrəʊɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪtɪ, -ˌiːlɛk-), noun

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 hydroelectric

hydroelectric

[ hī′drō-ĭ-lĕk′trĭk ]

Using the power of water currents to generate electric power. Generally, hydroelectric power is created by directing water flow through a turbine, where the water causes fans to turn, creating the torque needed to drive an electric generator.