hydrology

noun

hy·​drol·​o·​gy hī-ˈdrä-lə-jē 

: a science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on and below the earth's surface and in the atmosphere

hydrologic

ˌhī-drə-ˈlä-jik 

adjective

or hydrological

ˌhī-drə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

hydrologically

ˌhī-drə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hydrologist

hī-ˈdrä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of hydrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the past three winters have shown how the state’s hydrology can vary widely. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

Its unique hydrology makes central Brazilian agriculture possible and helps keep the lights on from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. —Thomas Lovejoy, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020

Jay Lund, an environmental engineer at the University of California, Davis, also noted the breadth and complexity of water management efforts in California, which involve diverse water demands; hydrology and infrastructure; substantial decentralization; and numerous laws, regulations and contracts. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Feb. 2025

Rhett Jackson is a professor of hydrology at the University of Georgia. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin hydrologia, from Latin hydr- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

hydrology

noun

hy·​drol·​o·​gy hī-ˈdräl-ə-jē 

: a science dealing with the characteristics, distribution, and circulation of water on and below the surface of the land and in the atmosphere

hydrologic

ˌhī-drə-ˈläj-ik 

adjective

or hydrological

-i-kəl 

hydrologist

hī-ˈdräl-ə-jist 

noun

Medical Definition

hydrology

noun

hy·​drol·​o·​gy hī-ˈdräl-ə-jē 

plural hydrologies

: the body of medical knowledge and practice concerned with the therapeutic use of bathing and water