hydrodynamics

noun

hy·​dro·​dy·​nam·​ics ˌhī-drō-dī-ˈna-miks How to pronounce hydrodynamics (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: a branch of physics that deals with the motion of fluids and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids and in motion relative to them compare hydrostatics
hydrodynamicist noun

Examples of hydrodynamics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Theorists put together gravity, hydrodynamics, regular matter that shines and dark matter that doesn’t, and let the simulation re-create the evolution of galaxies. Ann Finkbeiner, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2019 The robot hovers due to the collision of its propellers with the water (hydrodynamics not aerodynamics). IEEE Spectrum, 16 Oct. 2020 In June, a study of feathers from nine penguin species found other unique microstructures, now associated with coloration, probably first evolved in the marine birds for improved hydrodynamics. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2018 To bring Pandora to life, the team at Weta had to become expert not only in hydrodynamics, but also in rendering those complex physics photorealistically. Darryn King, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2022 At a mechanical engineering conference at Princeton, Fish ran into Tim Wei, an engineer who was presenting some of his research on the hydrodynamics of competitive swimmers . Brad Balukjian, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2014 Now, the behavior of those very same molecules is subject to the laws of hydrodynamics. Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2022 Computer modeling of the hull’s hydrodynamics, undertaken by the small company itself, required almost a full year, Mr. Bruneau said. Dan Neil, WSJ, 28 July 2022 The researchers used San Francisco Bay, where hydrodynamics differ from an open coastline, as their primary example. Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrodynamics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrodynamics was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near hydrodynamics

Cite this Entry

“Hydrodynamics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrodynamics. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

hydrodynamics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
hy·​dro·​dy·​nam·​ics -iks How to pronounce hydrodynamics (audio)
: a branch of physics that deals with the motion of fluids and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids and in motion relative to them compare hydrostatics

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