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

Just recently, three New Yorkers died in two separate fires during Code Blue weather, when selfish drivers parked in front of hydrants, delaying the firefighters’ movement of the hose. —Andrew Ansbro, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025

Sidewalks also are finished, and a hydrant has been installed near the entrance off Old Statesville Highway (N.C. 115). —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2025

The hydrants in the neighborhood were connected to three tanks that held 1 million gallons of water each and went dry within 12 hours, the complaint said, citing Janisse Quiñones, the water utility's chief executive and chief engineer. —CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025

No hydrants Countryside Fire District personnel battled a house fire on March 1 in Long Grove, the district reported. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

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