hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik 
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
constructed a hydroelectric power plant at the dam site
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The prime component of most hydroelectric systems is a dam. A high dam funnels water downward at high pressure to spin turbines, which in turn drive generators to produce high-voltage electricity. Mountainous countries with rushing rivers can produce the most hydroelectricity. Though hydroelectricity comes from a clean and completely renewable energy source, dams disrupt natural systems in a way that disturbs environmentalists.
Examples of hydroelectric in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the years, the moose's trip across the river has been affected by the development of roads and hydroelectric power facilities, which created dams that diminish the ice.
—
Ayana Archie, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
On Sunday, power production from nuclear, hydroelectric and other renewable sources in New England briefly accounted for more than two-thirds of the region’s power, supplanting natural gas.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Similarly, Lake Powell was expected to be just above the minimum needed for Glen Canyon Dam to produce full hydroelectric output.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The country has seen several nationwide power cuts linked to the El Niño phenomenon drying up rivers that fuel its hydroelectric power plants.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
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Ayana Archie, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
On Sunday, power production from nuclear, hydroelectric and other renewable sources in New England briefly accounted for more than two-thirds of the region’s power, supplanting natural gas.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Similarly, Lake Powell was expected to be just above the minimum needed for Glen Canyon Dam to produce full hydroelectric output.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The country has seen several nationwide power cuts linked to the El Niño phenomenon drying up rivers that fuel its hydroelectric power plants.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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