hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik 
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
constructed a hydroelectric power plant at the dam site
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The prime component of most hydroelectric systems is a dam. A high dam funnels water downward at high pressure to spin turbines, which in turn drive generators to produce high-voltage electricity. Mountainous countries with rushing rivers can produce the most hydroelectricity. Though hydroelectricity comes from a clean and completely renewable energy source, dams disrupt natural systems in a way that disturbs environmentalists.
Examples of hydroelectric in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The film tells the dramatic story of three community leaders in Latin America who resisted government and corporate plans to divert critical local water resources to mining and hydroelectric projects.
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Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 Apr. 2025
Because Ecuador is largely dependent on hydroelectric energy, a drought last year caused daily 14-hour power cuts for about three months.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Through its infrastructure investments, such as a megaport in Peru and a hydroelectric plant in Ecuador, Beijing is now the region’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.
—Roger W. Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2025
Over the years, the moose's trip across the river has been affected by the development of roads and hydroelectric power facilities, which created dams that diminish the ice.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
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Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 Apr. 2025
Because Ecuador is largely dependent on hydroelectric energy, a drought last year caused daily 14-hour power cuts for about three months.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Through its infrastructure investments, such as a megaport in Peru and a hydroelectric plant in Ecuador, Beijing is now the region’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.
—Roger W. Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2025
Over the years, the moose's trip across the river has been affected by the development of roads and hydroelectric power facilities, which created dams that diminish the ice.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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