hydrate

1 of 2

verb

hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

hydrated; hydrating; hydrates

transitive verb

1

: to supply with ample fluid or moisture

hydrates and softens the skin

… a canopy equipped with nozzles that rain down a cool mist to hydrate the desert air …

—Jane Stern et al.

2

: to cause to take up or combine with water or the elements of water : to make into a hydrate

intransitive verb

1

: to drink fluids so as to achieve or maintain proper levels of water in the body

It's important to hydrate during long periods of exercise.

Taking care of my hair reminds me to take care of me—to rest, to hydrate, to nourish myself inside and out.

—CeCe Olisa

2

: to absorb or become saturated with water

Letting the dough rest allows the flour to hydrate.

3

: to become a chemical hydrate

hydration

hī-ˈdrā-shən 

noun

hydrator

ˈhī-ˌdrā-tər 

noun

plural hydrators

hydrate

2 of 2

noun

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

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

Rain watered crops, and soaked in to recharge the groundwater that hydrated the city — something that can’t happen now, when something like 40% of the city is covered over, impermeable to rain. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Ahead of the colder months, invest in a hydrating lip mask like Gisou's Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy lip mask. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

The gentle, foaming elixir feels soft on skin, rinsing away dirt and makeup while hydrating and coddling with flaxseed oil. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Cucumbers are a refreshing, hydrating snack that also provides nutrients to support your overall health. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1942, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

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