definitions

hydroponics

[ hahy-druh-pon-iks ]
/ ˌhaɪ drəˈpɒn ɪks /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hydroponics ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (used with a singular verb)

the cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil; soilless growth of plants.Compare aeroculture, geoponics(def 2).

RELATED WORDS

gardening, cultivation, culture, production, breeding, agriculture, grazing, ranching, landscaping, operating, threshing, growing, harvesting, feeding, homesteading, reaping, gleaning, tillage, agronomy, seeding

Nearby words

hydropneumatosis, hydropneumogony, hydropneumopericardium, hydropneumoperitoneum, hydropneumothorax, hydroponics, hydropower, hydrops, hydropsy, hydropyonephrosis, hydroquinone

Origin of hydroponics

First recorded in 1935–40; hydro-1 + (geo)ponics

Related forms

hy·dro·pon·ic, adjectivehy·dro·pon·i·cal·ly, adverbhy·drop·o·nist [hahy-drop-uh-nist] /haɪˈdrɒp ə nɪst/, hy·dro·pon·i·cist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hydroponics

British Dictionary definitions for hydroponics

hydroponics

/ (ˌhaɪdrəʊˈpɒnɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) a method of cultivating plants by growing them in gravel, etc, through which water containing dissolved inorganic nutrient salts is pumpedAlso called: aquiculture

Derived Forms

hydroponic, adjectivehydroponically, adverb

Word Origin for hydroponics

C20: from hydro- + (geo) ponics
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

Science definitions for hydroponics

hydroponics

[ hī′drə-pŏn′ĭks ]

The cultivation of plants in a nutrient-rich solution, rather than in soil, and under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and humidity. Also called aquaculture
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for hydroponics

hydroponics

[ (heye-druh-pon-iks) ]

Cultivating plants in an artificial environment in which the necessary nutrients are carried to the roots in a liquid mixture.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.