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

With countless Allure Best of Beauty titles to its name, L’Oréal Paris is a testament to the fact that some beauty staples only get better with age—literally, these hydrating makeup formulas are great for younger and older people alike. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 15 Oct. 2026

Marathon chief medical and safety officer George Chiampas said runners should hydrate, really focus on nutrition, and plan their pace accordingly. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Dermatologists also recommend these hyaluronic acid capsules for travel because each tiny pouch contains just enough hydrating and plumping product for a single use. — Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026

Milani Conceal + Perfect Sun Kissed Liquid Bronzer This lightweight liquid bronzer contains copper tripeptide-1, a carrier peptide, along with hydrating ingredients and skin-loving vitamins. — Mickey Williams, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 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