hydraulic
adjective
hy·drau·lic
hī-ˈdrȯ-lik 
1
: operated, moved, or effected by means of water
2
a
: of or relating to hydraulics
hydraulic engineer
b
: of or relating to water or other liquid in motion
hydraulic erosion
3
: operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid (such as water or oil) is forced through a comparatively small orifice or through a tube
hydraulic brakes
4
: hardening or setting under water
hydraulic cement
Did you know?
By means of a hydraulic lift, the driver can lift the bed of a dump truck with the touch of a button. He might also repair the hydraulic steering, the hydraulic brake, or the hydraulic clutch—all of which, like the lift that holds everything up, take advantage of the way liquids act under pressure. Somewhat like a pulley or a lever, a hydraulic system magnifies the effect of moderate pressure exerted over a longer distance into powerful energy for a shorter distance.
Examples of hydraulic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This one, too, is tricked out with tech for rotating 360 degrees on the spot and crab walking diagonally, all thanks to the proprietary e4 Platform (quad-motor independent torque vectoring) and the DiSus-P intelligent hydraulic body control system.
—
New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Currently, the hydraulic system can capture the force from the tool pressing and/or tilting.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a rear Tektro derailleur, and a small LCD panel/assist level controller are included; all are typical features for an e-bike.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Personal trainers and healthcare professionals often use hydraulic devices called dynamometers to measure grip strength, measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg).
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
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New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Currently, the hydraulic system can capture the force from the tool pressing and/or tilting.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a rear Tektro derailleur, and a small LCD panel/assist level controller are included; all are typical features for an e-bike.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Personal trainers and healthcare professionals often use hydraulic devices called dynamometers to measure grip strength, measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg).
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydraulic
Cite this Entry
“Hydraulic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydraulic. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydraulic
adjective
hy·drau·lic
hī-ˈdrȯ-lik
1
: operated, moved, or brought about by means of water
2
: of or relating to hydraulics
hydraulic engineer
3
: operated by pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid is forced through a small hole or through a tube
hydraulic brakes
4
: hardening or setting under water
hydraulic cement
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