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

At least seven more bodies were recovered from the tunnel of an under-construction hydroelectric project in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim, the state government said Thursday, bringing the death toll from a blast to 22. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2026

Lake Powell, the second-largest, is at just 23% of capacity and is just 33 feet away from no longer being able to generate hydroelectric power. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

The blast ripped through a tunnel in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim, effectively stopping work on the 500-megawatt Teesta Stage-VI hydroelectric project in the Namchi district, near the border with China. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 July 2026

This is one of Norway’s tallest waterfalls, and while most others in the country are used for hydroelectric power generation, Langfossen is still in its natural state. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydroelectric

• nonelectric
• bioelectric
• ferroelectric
• isoelectric
• photoelectric
• pyroelectric
• thermoelectric
• dielectric
• electric
• piezoelectric

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