hydrant

noun hy·drant \ ˈhī-drənt \

|Updated on: 23 Jul 2018

Definition of hydrant

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

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Recent Examples of hydrant from the Web

From faces and hearts on large buildings' inner pillars to a hat on a curbside fire hydrant, to a robot, haloed in pink, flashing a peace sign from a cinder-block wall, his images show a vast city-scape of possibility.

— robert allen, Detroit Free Press, "4,000 miles of Detroit art: A man with a camera, a bicycle and a goal," 5 July 2018
However, officials are discouraging people from opening fire hydrants given the dangers of having children in busy city streets.

— courant.com, "Brutal Heat Ahead, But Bacteria Could Close Four State Beaches This Weekend," 29 June 2018
Fenced dog enclosure features fire hydrants, waste bag stations, picnic tables, trash cans and play features, 4700 Old Pearsall Road; sanantonio.gov.

— ingrid wilgen, San Antonio Express-News, "Dog parks offer off-leash time and a place to play," 11 June 2018
The project will include replacing 760 linear feet of water main on Hawthorne Drive, 2,140 linear feet of water main on Cambridge Drive/179th Street, and 10 fire hydrants plus restoring parkway and pavement.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Community news: Lincoln-Way Marching Band set for Mokena July 4 parade," 28 June 2018
The council also gave the mayor the ability to negotiate a rate up to $1.43 for county residents and the additional 0.08 percent county fee for hydrant maintenance.

— scott wartman, Cincinnati.com, "How much should Cincinnati charge people outside the city for water? City might hike rates," 27 June 2018
The city opts not to follow seven other parts of the International Fire Code, including those governing fire hydrant locations and distribution, and fire protection systems, Dorsey noted Tuesday.

— colin campbell, baltimoresun.com, "City Council to pass fire code change unless agencies move on stalled developments, bike lanes," 21 June 2018
Bright-red fire hydrants had been installed every quarter-mile in one field, 30-foot-tall iron sculptures of birds in another.

— porter fox, Outside Online, "Exploring America's Forgotten Border," 1 June 2018
Residents are advised to pile debris as close to the curb as possible and at least 5 feet from mailboxes, vehicles, fencing or hydrants and away from beneath power lines, cables or other wiring, city officials advised.

— jaimy jones, Houston Chronicle, "Friendswood will pick up debris from Harvey reconstruction," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.