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

Those hydrants were at Lehigh Avenue at Churchill Street, Lehigh Avenue at Dempster Street, the north side of Dempster Street halfway between Lehigh Avenue and Birch Avenue, and Dempster Street at Birch Avenue, the Facebook post states. —Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

If the park is not available, Cal Fire could still pick up water at the park’s hydrants to fill their trucks and dump their gray water left over from showers and kitchen sinks at the park for a fee, Wolski said. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

Volkert said the departments that have no hydrants have plans in place and practice using those water supplies. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025

Officials urge residents in fire-prone areas to clear vegetation, maintain visible hydrants, and prepare evacuation plans. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 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