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
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Cutting-edge features such as hydraulic elevators, precision lighting, lasers and sophisticated projection technology only add to the stunning visual scene.
—
Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Stopping power is supplied by hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm rotors.
—Paul Ridden
may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2025
That includes ensuring that booms on hydraulic cranes are retracted, tower cranes are set in a weathervane position and all power at the base of cranes is disconnected ahead of a storm.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
The introduction of hydraulic mining during the Gold Rush washed away vast chunks of the landscape, particularly in Yuba County, flushing tons of sediment into the river system and ultimately reshaping the rivers themselves.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2025
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Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Stopping power is supplied by hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm rotors.
—Paul Ridden
may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2025
That includes ensuring that booms on hydraulic cranes are retracted, tower cranes are set in a weathervane position and all power at the base of cranes is disconnected ahead of a storm.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
The introduction of hydraulic mining during the Gold Rush washed away vast chunks of the landscape, particularly in Yuba County, flushing tons of sediment into the river system and ultimately reshaping the rivers themselves.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 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 22 May. 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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