HYDRO
What does "HYDRO" mean?
Informal term for hydroelectric power, or for electricity supply in general.
Meanings
- Hydroelectricity; power generated from moving water. Most of the province's grid runs on hydro. informal
- Electricity service or its utility bill (chiefly Canadian). The hydro bill always spikes in the coldest months. informal
- Hydroponics; the growing of plants in nutrient solution without soil. He grows basil and lettuce on hydro in the basement. informal
Did you know?
- In much of Canada, people pay a 'hydro bill' for any electricity at all - the word for water power became the everyday word for the grid, because the early utilities ran on hydroelectric dams.
Word origin
A clipped form built from the Greek prefix 'hydro-' (water), from 'hydor' (water); the standalone noun arose as shorthand for longer compounds like 'hydroelectric' and 'hydroponic'.
Remember it
HYDRO starts with the Greek for water - so 'hydro' power is, at root, just water doing the work.
A little poem
The river never knew it was a wire,
yet every falling foot of it is fire -
the kettle hums a current that was rain.
tercet
Wordplay
- In Canada they pay a hydro bill even for a wind turbine. The word for water quietly took over the whole outlet.
What it teaches
A word can outgrow its origin and rule a whole domain - 'hydro' powers lamps the river never touched.
Quick facts
What does HYDRO mean?
Informal term for hydroelectric power, or for electricity supply in general.
Is HYDRO a valid word?
Yes — HYDRO is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is HYDRO?
HYDRO has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does HYDRO come from?
A clipped form built from the Greek prefix 'hydro-' (water), from 'hydor' (water); the standalone noun arose as shorthand for longer compounds like 'hydroelectric' and 'hydroponic'.
What can HYDRO teach us?
A word can outgrow its origin and rule a whole domain - 'hydro' powers lamps the river never touched.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.