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
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Solar power generation jumped 34%, pushing it past hydroelectric power, with zero-carbon emitting energy sources now supplying 42% of American power, Rhodium found.
—
Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Deborah famously hauled bags of cement up the mountain with a baby strapped to her chest to construct the hydroelectric system that still powers 80% of the resort today.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
To spawn, salmon must swim hundreds or even thousands of miles upstream from the ocean, and in the Columbia River and its many tributaries, their path is obstructed by a massive network of hydroelectric dams.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Tuchbant is actively working toward a clean power vision for the property, which currently runs on a hybrid system of solar, hydroelectric, and diesel generators.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
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Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Deborah famously hauled bags of cement up the mountain with a baby strapped to her chest to construct the hydroelectric system that still powers 80% of the resort today.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
To spawn, salmon must swim hundreds or even thousands of miles upstream from the ocean, and in the Columbia River and its many tributaries, their path is obstructed by a massive network of hydroelectric dams.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Tuchbant is actively working toward a clean power vision for the property, which currently runs on a hybrid system of solar, hydroelectric, and diesel generators.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 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 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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