hydrant

noun

hy·​drant ˈhī-drənt 

plural hydrants

1

: a discharge pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from a water main (as for fighting fires)

called also fireplug

2

: faucet

Examples of hydrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bass had flown home from Ghana the day before to a city engulfed in crisis, with firefighters battling out-of-control wildfires, hydrants that were dry and residents reeling from a chaotic evacuation. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Chief Kristin Crowley and California Governor Gavin Newsom have faced criticism for their response to the wildfires after some hydrants went dry as firefighters tried to battle the blazes. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

As the tanks depleted, so did the water pressure, until some 20% of hydrants ran dry. —Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025

Some hydrants in the Los Angeles area ran dry during the height of the wildfires, but local officials say that's because they were not designed to deal with major disasters. —Terry Collins, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek hydr-, form in derivatives and compounds of hýdōr "water" + -ant entry 1 — more at hydro-

Note: Though the above is the only likely etymology, the formation is peculiar, as the suffix -ant is normally associated with verbs of French and/or Latin origin. This peculiarity suggests a deliberate coinage, but its source is apparently unknown. The word is attested earliest in Philadelphia city ordinances from the first decade of the nineteenth century.

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hydrant

• fire hydrant

Kids Definition

hydrant

noun

hy·​drant ˈhī-drənt 

: a pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from the main pipes