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

These hydraulic ponies turned out to be the perfect mules. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

The United States was becoming far less dependent on Gulf oil, thanks to the hydraulic fracking revolution. —Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

With the pull of a lever, a worker activates the hopper’s powerful hydraulic jaw, which chomps down on the trash and compacts it. —Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The dam failure occurred because the hydraulic structure was not properly maintained, and a criminal investigation has been opened, the regional prosecutor’s office said. —Radina Gigova, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

The cat also has aft and bow lounges and a hydraulic stern platform. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024

On Friday, a United Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway into a grassy area, and in another incident a flight from San Francisco to Mexico City was diverted to Los Angeles after an issue with the plane’s hydraulic system, the airline said. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

Power steering, introduced on the Chrysler Imperial in 1951, was the first automotive system to meaningfully sever the connection between car and driver, adding a hydraulic mechanism that translated, rather than responded directly to, human input. —The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

These include hydraulic barriers and additional concrete around the base of bridge supports, for instance. —Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024

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

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