hydroponics

noun

hy·​dro·​pon·​ics ˌhī-drə-ˈpä-niks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: the growing of plants in nutrient solutions with or without an inert medium (such as soil) to provide mechanical support

hydroponic

ˌhī-drə-ˈpä-nik 

adjective

hydroponically

ˌhī-drə-ˈpä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Hydroponics, also known as aquaculture or tank farming, began as a way of studying scientifically the mechanisms of plant nutrition. Hydroponically grown plants may have no solid material under them at all; instead, their roots often simply hang in water with a rich mix of nutrients dissolved in it. The principal advantage to hydroponics is the savings from reduced labor costs, since it's generally carried on in enclosed areas and the irrigation and fertilizing are done mechanically. Peppers, cucumbers, and various other vegetables are produced hydroponically in huge quantities.

Examples of hydroponics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scotts went around this prohibition by buying companies that produce products for the hydroponics industry. —Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023

For an entire year, Drake lived and breathed the details about hydroponics. —Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2022

But a hydroponics system in space is not without its challenges. —Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2019

Between advances in water desalination, greenhouse construction, precision irrigation, and hydroponics, the country has grown into an ag-tech powerhouse. —Time, 30 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

hydr- + -ponics (as in geoponics agriculture)

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydroponics

noun

hy·​dro·​pon·​ics ˌhī-drə-ˈpän-iks 

: the growing of plants in nutrient solutions

hydroponic

-ik 

adjective