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
Recent Examples on the Web
Congress asked the Corps in 2020 and 2022 to study the possibility of shutting down its hydroelectric turbines on the Willamette.
—
Tony Schick, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2025
Borrowing heavily from Chinese lenders, Mr. Correa’s government launched almost a dozen new hydroelectric projects, massive dams that became emblematic of the country’s transformation.
—José María León Cabrera, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The kingdom leveraged its abundant hydroelectric resources to power its mining operations.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Green power would be provided by a hydroelectric dam complete with an elevated temple in its mosaic facade.
—By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
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Tony Schick, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2025
Borrowing heavily from Chinese lenders, Mr. Correa’s government launched almost a dozen new hydroelectric projects, massive dams that became emblematic of the country’s transformation.
—José María León Cabrera, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The kingdom leveraged its abundant hydroelectric resources to power its mining operations.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Green power would be provided by a hydroelectric dam complete with an elevated temple in its mosaic facade.
—By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Dictionary Entries Near hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 16 Feb. 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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