hydrant

noun

hy·​drant ˈhī-drənt 

plural hydrants

1

: a discharge pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from a water main (as for fighting fires)

called also fireplug

2

: faucet

Examples of hydrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Water storage ran out and hydrants went dry. —David Marston, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026

Water hydrants were left depleted during the emergency as well, which officials attribute to the high demand for water. —City News Service, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

Neighbors grabbed shovels and started looking for hydrants as officers went door-to-door evacuating everyone from neighboring homes. —Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

There are over 600 hydrants in town. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek hydr-, form in derivatives and compounds of hýdōr "water" + -ant entry 1 — more at hydro-

Note: Though the above is the only likely etymology, the formation is peculiar, as the suffix -ant is normally associated with verbs of French and/or Latin origin. This peculiarity suggests a deliberate coinage, but its source is apparently unknown. The word is attested earliest in Philadelphia city ordinances from the first decade of the nineteenth century.

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hydrant

• fire hydrant

Kids Definition

hydrant

noun

hy·​drant ˈhī-drənt 

: a pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from the main pipes