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
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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
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Earlier Coverage Ajay Banga Era Begins at the World Bank
June 2, 2023
The Bank has long been criticized by environmental advocates for supporting projects that harm communities and ecologies, including hydroelectric dams and gas pipelines.
—
Max Bearak, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Bonneville Power Administration About 30 workers who were fired from an agency that runs a hydroelectric dam in the Pacific Northwest have been rehired, according to Reuters.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The nuclear option Some combination of nuclear and hydroelectric power supports the world’s eight big clean grids.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025
Countries with abundant renewable energy, like Bhutan which mined $750 million worth of bitcoin using hydroelectric power from its Himalayan rivers, show how nations can convert unused renewable energy capacity into significant financial returns.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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Max Bearak, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Bonneville Power Administration About 30 workers who were fired from an agency that runs a hydroelectric dam in the Pacific Northwest have been rehired, according to Reuters.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The nuclear option Some combination of nuclear and hydroelectric power supports the world’s eight big clean grids.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025
Countries with abundant renewable energy, like Bhutan which mined $750 million worth of bitcoin using hydroelectric power from its Himalayan rivers, show how nations can convert unused renewable energy capacity into significant financial returns.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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