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

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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

These hydroelectric dams also impeded fish migration for nearly a century. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

Built between 1908 and 1962 to generate electricity for nearby communities, these four hydroelectric dams submerged indigenous lands, blocked salmon passage, and created pockets of warm water where toxic blue-green algae thrived. —Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 24 Nov. 2024

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

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