hydroelectric

[ hahy-droh-i-lek-trik ]

adjective

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

hydroelectric

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪtɪ; ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlɛktrɪk; -ˌiːlɛk- /

adjective

1. generated by the pressure of falling water

   hydroelectric power

2. of or concerned with the generation of electricity by water pressure

   a hydroelectric scheme

Derived Forms

• hydroelectricity, noun

Other Words From

• hy·dro·e·lec·tric·i·ty [hahy-droh-i-lek-, tris, -i-tee, -ee-lek-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydroelectric¹

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

Example Sentences

Lake Mead feeds Hoover Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric generating facilities in the country.

From 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.

From 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.

From Freakonomics

Brazil is also heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, and lower levels in the country’s reservoirs, lakes and rivers will hinder electricity generation.

From Ozy

Water levels tend to be high in June thanks to snow runoff, which means plenty of hydroelectric capacity at regional dams.

From Time

We made big things like steel for ships and tractors and turbines for hydroelectric plants.

From The Daily Beast

To make a living, he gets a job as a manager at a hydroelectric plant.

From The Daily Beast

Greetings from Manitoba, the Saudi Arabia of untapped hydroelectric potential.

From The Daily Beast

My National Post column urges the government of Ontario to consider hydroelectric power instead of wind turbines.

From The Daily Beast

The great hydroelectric dams, the hundreds of steam turbines, the heavy-metal atomic reactors—all useless for power purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall then have an opportunity that never before has been given us to develop the hydroelectric possibilities of the country.

From Project Gutenberg

The other ten per cent according to the Commission's plan will be hydroelectric power.

From Project Gutenberg

Maybe Crane figured Taber's scalp was too small a price to pay for the hydroelectric plum.

From Project Gutenberg

The rivers have a high potential for the generation of hydroelectric power.

From Project Gutenberg