hydraulic

adjective

hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik 

1

: operated, moved, or effected by means of water

2

a

: of or relating to hydraulics

hydraulic engineer

b

: of or relating to water or other liquid in motion

hydraulic erosion

3

: operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid (such as water or oil) is forced through a comparatively small orifice or through a tube

hydraulic brakes

4

: hardening or setting under water

hydraulic cement

hydraulically

hī-ˈdrȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

By means of a hydraulic lift, the driver can lift the bed of a dump truck with the touch of a button. He might also repair the hydraulic steering, the hydraulic brake, or the hydraulic clutch—all of which, like the lift that holds everything up, take advantage of the way liquids act under pressure. Somewhat like a pulley or a lever, a hydraulic system magnifies the effect of moderate pressure exerted over a longer distance into powerful energy for a shorter distance.

Examples of hydraulic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dams were built to aid mining efforts, changing the course of rivers, and hydraulic mining techniques washed sediment into bodies of water that flowed into agricultural areas, threatening farms and human health. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

The Alpha is built around an aluminum alloy frame in low or high step versions, each with a hydraulic suspension fork, and the whole shebang is reported to be IPX4 weatherproof. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025

Trump tapped Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, North America’s second-largest hydraulic fracturing company, for energy secretary in his new Cabinet. —Carly Dempsey, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025

There is a growing challenge because much of U.S. production depends on hydraulic fracking — injection of chemicals under high pressure to crack underground rock and release materials for pumping to the surface. —Erik Sherman, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin hydraulicus, from Greek hydraulikos, from hydraulis hydraulic organ, from hydr- + aulos reed instrument — more at alveolus

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hydraulic

• hydraulic fracturing

Kids Definition

hydraulic

adjective

hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik 

1

: operated, moved, or brought about by means of water

2

: of or relating to hydraulics

hydraulic engineer

3

: operated by pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid is forced through a small hole or through a tube

hydraulic brakes

4

: hardening or setting under water

hydraulic cement

hydraulically

-ˈdrȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb