hydraulic

adjective

hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik 

1

: operated, moved, or effected by means of water

2

a

: of or relating to hydraulics

hydraulic engineer

b

: 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

hydraulically

hī-ˈdrȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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.

Examples of hydraulic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Late Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade County confirmed that a hydraulic valve had been replaced. —Peter D'oench, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Braking comes courtesy of dual 310-mm floating front discs paired with radial ByBre calipers, along with a 270-mm rear disc and single-piston hydraulic caliper. —Utkarsh Sood june 16, New Atlas, 16 June 2026

Hamilton's teammate, Charles Leclerc, had to retire late when his Ferrari failed due to a hydraulic problem. —ABC News, 14 June 2026

Work logs indicated the hydraulic limit system was last tested in 2004. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin hydraulicus, from Greek hydraulikos, from hydraulis hydraulic organ, from hydr- + aulos reed instrument — more at alveolus

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hydraulic

• hydraulic fracturing

Rhymes for hydraulic

• bucolic
• carbolic
• embolic
• glycolic
• phenolic
• podzolic
• symbolic
• systolic
• alcoholic
• anabolic
• apostolic
• catabolic

Kids Definition

hydraulic

adjective

hy·​drau·​lic hī-ˈdrȯ-lik 

1

: operated, moved, or brought about by means of water

2

: of or relating to hydraulics

hydraulic engineer

3

: operated by pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid is forced through a small hole or through a tube

hydraulic brakes

4

: hardening or setting under water

hydraulic cement

hydraulically

-ˈdrȯ-li-k(ə-)lē 

adverb