hydroelectric

1 of 2

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

hydroelectrically

ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hydroelectricity

ˌhī-drō-i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē 

-ˈtri-stē

noun

hydroelectricity

2 of 2

noun

hy·​dro·​electricity "+ 

: electricity produced by water power

Did you know?

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

Adjective

As of last month, Ueno reported holding roughly $800 million in public deposits, about a quarter of its total, including money from the state pension and health fund and the operators of Paraguay’s giant hydroelectric dams. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The country’s other hydroelectric dams produce no more than 100 megawatts combined, the employee said. — Hamza Fahmy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

In 2003, the operator of three hydroelectric dams on the Snake River, which makes up part of the border between Idaho and Oregon, applied to renew its 50-year license. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026

This crane had nearly gone extinct before, driven in part by an explosion of new hydroelectric dams in the early 20th century, whose construction dried out local wetlands. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

Noun

hydr- + electricity

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydroelectric

• nonelectric
• bioelectric
• ferroelectric
• isoelectric
• photoelectric
• pyroelectric
• thermoelectric
• dielectric
• electric
• piezoelectric

Kids Definition

hydroelectric

adjective

hy·​dro·​elec·​tric ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik 

: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower

hydroelectricity

-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē 

-ˈtris-tē

noun