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
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
The company shares resources with a data center in Montana that is powered by hydroelectric energy.
—
Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Crews will also maintain safe travel routes to support twice-daily fuel convoys to the Wishon hydroelectric station.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
When it was built nearly a century ago, the Ohio Falls hydroelectric dam churned out enough power to serve nearly the entire budding city of Louisville.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Sep. 2025
Reuters — Ethiopia officially inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, a project that will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.
—CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Crews will also maintain safe travel routes to support twice-daily fuel convoys to the Wishon hydroelectric station.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
When it was built nearly a century ago, the Ohio Falls hydroelectric dam churned out enough power to serve nearly the entire budding city of Louisville.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Sep. 2025
Reuters — Ethiopia officially inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, a project that will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.
—CNN Money, 9 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share