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

The beauty and abundance of shrublands in the West are packed with inspiration throughout its diverse topography, geology, hydrology and microclimates. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Hannah Cloke, a professor of hydrology at the UK’s University of Reading, said the high death toll suggests Spain’s regional emergency alerts system failed. —Sophie Tanno, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024

The wetlands were also partially filled to avoid inundation of low-lying lands, which resulted in a disruption of the natural hydrology of water systems. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Many ecologists have argued that a combination of hydrology and animal landscaping, especially by forest elephants, is at play. —Zhengyang Wang, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

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