hydroelectric

adjective

hy·​dro·​elec·​tric ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik How to pronounce hydroelectric (audio)
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
constructed a hydroelectric power plant at the dam site
hydroelectrically adverb
hydroelectricity noun

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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
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But falling water levels may threaten municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 Geely makes the Polestar 4 in a factory in China, which has solar panels on the roof and gets the bulk of its electricity from a hydroelectric power station. Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Beginning in the New Deal era, the federal government built dozens of hydroelectric dams and a sprawling transmission system to electrify the rural West. Tony Schick, ProPublica, 12 May 2025 As the foothills of the Himalayas, the region’s potential for hydroelectric power was unparalleled. Bridget Crocker june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydroelectric was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hydroelectric

adjective
hy·​dro·​elec·​tric ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik How to pronounce hydroelectric (audio)
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
hydroelectricity noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hydroelectric

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