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

These reservoirs are crucial for farms in the West that supply the rest of the country, Steven Fassnacht, a professor of snow hydrology at Colorado State University, told ABC News. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 May 2026

Once a project of this size is built, the hydrology of the site is permanently changed. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026

Expect more critically dry years Future hydrology is the biggest and most impactful uncertainty federal officials must reckon with while crafting plans for the river, Smith said in the January webinar. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Revenue from power generation fluctuates with market conditions and hydrology but remains the agency’s largest source of income. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026

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