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

West Side homeless encampment At the bustling encampment on West 45th Street at 11th Avenue, people shave with water from a hydrant and use strips of plastic and cardboard to find shade. — Dave Carlin, CBS News, 13 July 2026

People pull out the barbecue, open fire hydrants, throw block parties. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 9 July 2026

The map also overlays the location of water hydrants, the moisture content of vegetation, wildfire history, red flag warnings of dangerous fire conditions and other data. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

The coverage also included a report on how Altadena residents battled to save their own homes from flames; an overview of the Palisades fire’s massive scale; and an investigation into why hydrants ran dry as firefighters battled the deadly fires. — Los Angeles Times, 25 June 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