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

Climate change has been blamed in part, with persisting droughts and less water running through Iranian hydroelectric dams. —Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

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

Eco-friendly measures include the use of hydroelectric power to operate ski lifts, innovative snow production systems that minimize water and energy usage and a comprehensive recycling program. 8. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The rise of clean energies like wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, ocean tidal and wave energy, and even ocean thermal energy conversion, are taking away the demand to burn fossil fuels that can take hundreds of millions of years to replenish themselves, if ever. —New Atlas, 21 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