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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The one oddity is that hydroelectric production has surged without a corresponding increase in capacity, likely due to unusually warm weather in the western US causing the snowpack to melt early.
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ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa's largest hydroelectric project, is expected to double its power generation, though the facility and has fueled a decade-long dispute over water supplies with downstream Egypt and Sudan.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
In the coming year, the reservoir could decline to a point where water can no longer pass through intakes to generate hydroelectric power.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Two hydroelectric dams on Washington’s Elwha River were removed in 2011 and 2014 after the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and others lobbied for their removal for decades.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
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ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa's largest hydroelectric project, is expected to double its power generation, though the facility and has fueled a decade-long dispute over water supplies with downstream Egypt and Sudan.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
In the coming year, the reservoir could decline to a point where water can no longer pass through intakes to generate hydroelectric power.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Two hydroelectric dams on Washington’s Elwha River were removed in 2011 and 2014 after the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and others lobbied for their removal for decades.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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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