hydrate

1 of 2

noun

hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

: a compound formed by the union of water with some other substance

hydrate

2 of 2

verb

hydrated; hydrating

transitive verb

1

: to cause to take up or combine with water or the elements of water

2

: to supply with ample fluid or moisture

hydrates and softens the skin

intransitive verb

: to become a hydrate

hydration

hī-ˈdrā-shən 

noun

hydrator

ˈhī-ˌdrā-tər 

noun

Examples of hydrate in a Sentence

Verb

lotions and creams that hydrate the skin

Drink fluids to hydrate the body.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Next, layer on a hydrating moisturizer and grippy makeup primer to help keep products in place throughout the day. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 15 Aug. 2026

This award-winning water fountain will help keep your cat hydrated, with a blue LED light that helps attract pets and better monitor the device's water level. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

With caffeine, vitamin E, and glycerin to hydrate and brighten, the formula delivers buildable coverage with the second-skin finish that made the Luminous Silk line famous. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Futuredew is a skin care-makeup hybrid that delivers sheer coverage while hydrating your face with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and a blend of jojoba, grapeseed, evening primrose, and rosehip oils. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hydrate

• chloral hydrate

Rhymes for hydrate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

hydrate

1 of 2 noun

hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

: a compound formed by the union of water with some other substance

a hydrate of copper sulfate

hydrate

2 of 2 verb

hydrated; hydrating

1

: to cause to take up or combine with water or the elements of water

2

: to supply with sufficient amounts of fluid or moisture

hydration

hī-ˈdrā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

hydrate

1 of 2 noun

hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

: a compound (as Glauber's salt) formed by the union of water with some other substance

hydrate

2 of 2 verb

hydrated; hydrating

transitive verb

: to cause to take up or combine with water or the elements of water

intransitive verb

: to become a hydrate