hydrate

1 of 2

noun

hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce hydrate (audio)
: 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 noun
hydrator 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
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Verb
While tubing mascaras offer some of the most popular no-clump formulas, other options rely on thin lash combs and hydrating ingredients to ensure that your makeup doesn’t crust up during application. Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025 Our team of experts spent four weeks putting 24 brands to the test — including Laneige, Fenty Beauty, Murad, and Tower28 — assessing them on texture, absorbency, cleansing and hydrating abilities, and overall results. Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 Taylor hydrates with a creamy leave-in like Cheribe’s Moisture Milk, while Hinkle refreshes the scalp using rosewater mists. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025 Fresh fruit is naturally hydrating, portable, and nutrient-rich. Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydrate

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrate was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

hydrate

1 of 2 noun
hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce hydrate (audio)
: 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 noun

Medical Definition

hydrate

1 of 2 noun
hy·​drate ˈhī-ˌdrāt How to pronounce hydrate (audio)
: 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

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