Definition of hydraulic
1 : operated, moved, or effected by means of water
2a : of or relating to hydraulics hydraulic engineerb : of or relating to water or other liquid in motion hydraulic erosion
3 : operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid (such as water or oil) is forced through a comparatively small orifice or through a tube hydraulic brakes
4 : hardening or setting under water hydraulic cement
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Recent Examples of hydraulic from the Web
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Kevin Schug, a chemist at UTA who has been involved in other studies involving hydraulic fracturing and pollution, will conduct baseline studies of ground and surface water quality in the geologically complex Alpine High resource play.
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Several of the country’s largest coal companies have sought bankruptcy protection in the last year, largely due to competition from natural gas made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing.
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Several of the country's largest coal companies have sought bankruptcy protection in the last year, largely due to competition from natural gas made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing.
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Stuart Miller, who also owns 22 Star Island, made headlines last year when his 7,000-square-foot home was lifted on hydraulic dollies and moved to another part of the property to make way for a new home.
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Pinkard's body was found wedged beneath a car parked on the side of the road and firefighters had to use a hydraulic jack to get him out from under the car, according to police reports.
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The Cessna Citation jet was flying from the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport in Washington to Napa County Airport when the pilot diverted to the Sacramento airport due to the hydraulic issue.
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Back then, companies in the United States took advantage of the high prices, learning to produce huge quantities of oil from shale rock in a process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
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Construction management firm Lendlease said the incident occurred after a partial hydraulic failure while the slab was being raised to the 36th level.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydraulic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
By means of a hydraulic lift, the driver can lift the bed of a dump truck with the touch of a button. He might also repair the hydraulic steering, the hydraulic brake, or the hydraulic clutch—all of which, like the lift that holds everything up, take advantage of the way liquids act under pressure. Somewhat like a pulley or a lever, a hydraulic system magnifies the effect of moderate pressure exerted over a longer distance into powerful energy for a shorter distance.
Origin and Etymology of hydraulic
Latin hydraulicus, from Greek hydraulikos, from hydraulis hydraulic organ, from hydr- + aulos reed instrument — more at alveolus
First Known Use: 1661
HYDRAULIC Defined for English Language Learners
hydraulic
playDefinition of hydraulic for English Language Learners
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: operated by the pressure of a fluid
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: occurring or used in a hydraulic system
HYDRAULIC Defined for Kids
hydraulic
playDefinition of hydraulic for Students
1 : operated, moved, or brought about by means of water hydraulic pressure
2 : operated by liquid forced through a small hole or through a tube hydraulic brakes
hydraulically
\-li-kə-lē\ adverbLearn More about hydraulic
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Spanish Central: Translation of hydraulic Nglish: Translation of hydraulic for Spanish speakers
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