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
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
Much like the move in China, engineers hoisted the building up with jacks, but rotated it 90 degrees using hydraulic rollers on 75-ton spruce beams before plopping it back down onto its new foundation.
—
Joe Salas
june 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
If a plane like the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner suffers from an abrupt loss of electrical, hydraulic or engine power at any altitude, an alternative power source is automatically deployed from the bottom of the jets.
—Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Among the vital automotive components that may become scarce are simple electrical components, such as harnesses and cables and connectors, as well as sensors and hydraulic systems.
—Oliver Wyman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The patent details a hydraulic actuator system designed to modify valve lift and duration in a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), four-valve engine.
—Utkarsh Sood
june 17, New Atlas, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydraulic
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Joe Salas
june 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
If a plane like the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner suffers from an abrupt loss of electrical, hydraulic or engine power at any altitude, an alternative power source is automatically deployed from the bottom of the jets.
—Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Among the vital automotive components that may become scarce are simple electrical components, such as harnesses and cables and connectors, as well as sensors and hydraulic systems.
—Oliver Wyman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The patent details a hydraulic actuator system designed to modify valve lift and duration in a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), four-valve engine.
—Utkarsh Sood
june 17, New Atlas, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydraulic
Cite this Entry
“Hydraulic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydraulic. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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