hydro

1 of 2

noun (1)

hy·​dro ˈhī-(ˌ)drō How to pronounce hydro (audio)
plural hydros
British
: an establishment offering hydropathic treatment (as for weight loss) : health spa

hydro

2 of 2

noun (2)

often attributive
: hydroelectric power

Examples of hydro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There’s a sumptuous spa, which includes a hydro pool, Turkish steam bath and treatment rooms, and a high-tech outdoor gym on one of the lower lawns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Many of them are workers believed to be trapped inside a dozen hydro-power plants. — Greg Dixon, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Video shows Nepali army rescuing two people from the tunnel of a hydro power plant in Rasuwa, Nepal. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 Village and township residents and officials have protested the nondestructive hydro-excavation business’s plan to relocate from Channahon to about 38 acres on 159th Street in Homer Township. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hydro

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for hydropathic establishment

Noun (2)

short for hydropower

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydro was in 1882

Rhymes for hydro

See All Rhymes for hydro

Browse Nearby Words

hydriotaphia
hydro
hydroabietyl alcohol
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydro. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

hydro

noun
hy·​dro
ˈhī-drō
: hydroelectric power

Medical Definition

hydro

noun
hy·​dro ˈhī-(ˌ)drō How to pronounce hydro (audio)
plural hydros
British
: a hydropathic facility : spa
also : a hotel catering to people using such a facility
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All