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
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Electricity is produced from solar energy, wind power, and the resort’s own hydroelectric plant.
—
Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
The resources sustainably produced by the country’s hydroelectric plants are often sold at a loss to neighboring countries, so Morphware has created a win-win scenario for itself and the local economy.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Democratic lawmakers confirmed to the outlet that the layoffs also impact workers at national laboratories, hydroelectric plants and Cold War-era nuclear sites.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Those efforts include hundreds of millions of dollars spent studying a hydroelectric dam that was never built and tens of millions building an Anchorage seafood plant that failed.
—ProPublica, 13 Feb. 2025
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Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
The resources sustainably produced by the country’s hydroelectric plants are often sold at a loss to neighboring countries, so Morphware has created a win-win scenario for itself and the local economy.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Democratic lawmakers confirmed to the outlet that the layoffs also impact workers at national laboratories, hydroelectric plants and Cold War-era nuclear sites.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Those efforts include hundreds of millions of dollars spent studying a hydroelectric dam that was never built and tens of millions building an Anchorage seafood plant that failed.
—ProPublica, 13 Feb. 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 15 Apr. 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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