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

hydroelectrically

ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hydroelectricity

ˌhī-drō-i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē 

-ˈtri-stē

noun

Did you know?

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

Xcel used this water to produce hydroelectric power and then returned all the water to the river. —Bill Ritter Jr., The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024

Perhaps the most high-profile instance is the recent removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, which runs from Oregon through California to the Pacific Ocean. —Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

In the early 1990s, the first hydroelectric dam was built to serve the capital of Nuuk, and since then, a handful of smaller hydroelectric dams have been built around the country. —Ole Ellekrog, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024

These ancient, frozen reservoirs supply irrigation and hydroelectric power to much of Peru. —Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydroelectric

adjective

hy·​dro·​elec·​tric ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik 

: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower

hydroelectricity

-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē 

-ˈtris-tē

noun