hydroponics

American  

[hahy-druh-pon-iks] / ˌhaɪ drəˈpɒn ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil; soilless growth of plants.

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hydroponics British  

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊˈpɒnɪks /

noun

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

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hydroponics Scientific  

/ hī′drə-pŏn′ĭks /

1. The cultivation of plants in a nutrient-rich solution, rather than in soil, and under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and humidity.

2. Also called aquaculture

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hydroponics Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• hydroponic adjective
• hydroponically adverb
• hydroponicist noun
• hydroponist noun

Etymology

Origin of hydroponics

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

Explanation

The process of growing plants without soil is called hydroponics. Using hydroponics to grow tomatoes means their roots will be suspended in a liquid nutrient solution instead of growing down into dirt. You can see "water" in the word hydroponics if you look closely: hydro means "water" in Greek. Usually, using hydroponics means that plants grow in water that's mixed with nutrients, although they sometimes grow in gravel, coir, wool, or some other material instead. The ponics part of the word also has a Greek root, ponein, "to labor or toil."

Example Sentences

He discovered hydroponics, an innovative cultivation technique where vegetables are grown not in soil, but in a solution of water enriched with essential nutrients.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

The server that contained Ellie’s brain lived in the basement surrounded by a sophisticated hydroponics system.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

Grains are not typically grown in hydroponics apart for their use as fodder.

From Science Daily • Dec. 27, 2023

Moving away from tradition, hydroponics skips soil completely to grow crops in nutrient-rich water, often indoors where every aspect can be controlled to maximize yield.

From National Geographic • Dec. 12, 2023

What bothered him more was that, without the hydroponics idea to keep him busy, Dad barely left the farm for the rest of the winter.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• agriculture
• breeding
• cultivation
• culture
• gardening
• grazing
• production
• ranching