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

Similarly, large-scale hydroelectric dams disrupt freshwater ecosystems by fragmenting rivers, blocking migratory fish species like salmon, and altering natural sediment flows. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Aguas del Tunari pledged to expand access to drinking water and sewer services while also developing hydroelectric and irrigation projects to support the surrounding communities. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Water from the lakes is also used to generate hydroelectric power and to ensure a steady, predictable flow of water downstream, smoothing the water supply during droughts and when snowpack in the Rocky Mountains is low. — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Nearly 70 years after the last of its residences were abandoned, not much still stands on Shippingport Island in Louisville than LG&E's hydroelectric plant, though the McAlpine Locks and Dam still also sits between the island and the mainland. — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 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