English Reference

Word

hydroelectric

Phoneticshy·dro·elec·tric

US/ˌhaɪdɹoʊɪˈɫɛktɹɪk/

UK/hˌaɪdɹəʊlˈɛktɹɪk/

Definition

adj. using the power of moving water to create electricity.

adj. relating to the generation of electricity through the use of flowing water to drive turbines.

Examples

“The city gets its power from a hydroelectric dam.”

“Many mountainous regions invest in hydroelectric power because their steep rivers provide a constant source of energy.”

“While hydroelectric projects offer a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, the construction of large-scale reservoirs can significantly alter local ecosystems and displace riverside communities.”

Examples

simple

“The city gets its power from a hydroelectric dam.”

contextual

“Many mountainous regions invest in hydroelectric power because their steep rivers provide a constant source of energy.”

complex

“While hydroelectric projects offer a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, the construction of large-scale reservoirs can significantly alter local ecosystems and displace riverside communities.”

Usage

Typically used attributively before nouns like 'power', 'dam', or 'plant'.

Real-World Examples

“Houses and other structures have disappeared, including bridges and a hydroelectric power station.”
BBC News · 28 Aug 2026
“Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.”
Al Jazeera · 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From hydro- + electric.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/hydroelectric

English Reference