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
Alongside crime, drought from the El Niño weather phenomenon has crippled Ecuador’s hydroelectric plants and thrown the country into an energy crisis.
—
Max Saltman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Ontario is also a major producer of hydroelectric power that flows across the border and provides energy to New England, something Mr. Ford said the province could withhold as a form of retaliation.
—Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The Times reports that more than one billion people live in countries where more than 50 percent of their energy comes from hydroelectric plants, while hydropower is expected to become less reliable as extreme weather events like drought and flooding become more frequent and severe.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Congress asked the Corps in 2020 and 2022 to study the possibility of shutting down its hydroelectric turbines on the Willamette.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2025
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Max Saltman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Ontario is also a major producer of hydroelectric power that flows across the border and provides energy to New England, something Mr. Ford said the province could withhold as a form of retaliation.
—Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The Times reports that more than one billion people live in countries where more than 50 percent of their energy comes from hydroelectric plants, while hydropower is expected to become less reliable as extreme weather events like drought and flooding become more frequent and severe.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Congress asked the Corps in 2020 and 2022 to study the possibility of shutting down its hydroelectric turbines on the Willamette.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 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 27 Feb. 2025.
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hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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