hydroelectricity

IPA/ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
IPA/ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/

hydroelectricity — noun

1. electricity created by using the movement of water — for example, water falling

1.nounB2
Definition

electricity created by using the movement of water — for example, water falling over a dam or flowing down a river — to drive generators.

Example

The new dam will generate enough hydroelectricity to power over fifty thousand homes in the region.

generate + enough + hydroelectricity + to power + [number] + [noun]

Amara explained how their village uses hydroelectricity from a nearby river instead of burning wood for energy.

uses + hydroelectricity + from + [source] + instead of + [alternative]

Common collocations
  • generate hydroelectricity
  • produce hydroelectricity
  • use hydroelectricity
  • derive hydroelectricity from
  • convert to hydroelectricity
  • source of hydroelectricity
  • hydroelectricity plant
  • hydroelectricity generation
Synonyms
  • hydropower

    A broader term referring to power derived from water; 'hydropower' can include mechanical energy, while 'hydroelectricity' specifically means electrical energy.

  • water power

    A more general, less technical term that can refer to any energy from moving water, not necessarily converted to electricity. Less common in modern usage.

  • hydroelectric power

    Essentially interchangeable with 'hydroelectricity', though 'hydroelectric power' is more commonly used when describing the energy source as a whole system.

Grammar Patterns

generate/produce + hydroelectricity

use + hydroelectricity + from + [source]

hydroelectricity + to power + [noun]

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not use with 'a' or in the plural form. Use 'some', 'much', 'enough', or 'a lot of' instead. The adjective form 'hydroelectric' is used before a noun (e.g. 'hydroelectric power station').

Common Mistakes

The country produces many hydroelectricities.
The country produces a lot of hydroelectricity.
Hydroelectricity is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form.
They built a new hydroelectricity.
They built a new hydroelectric power station.
The noun 'hydroelectricity' describes the energy itself; use the adjective 'hydroelectric' to describe a facility.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three terms refer to energy derived from moving water. 'Hydroelectricity' is the most precise term, referring specifically to electrical energy produced by water-powered generators. 'Hydropower' is a broader term that includes both electrical and mechanical energy from water (for example, a water wheel grinding grain qualifies as hydropower but not hydroelectricity). 'Water power' is an older, less technical term that is sometimes used in everyday speech but sounds dated in modern energy discussions. 'Hydroelectric power' is essentially synonymous with 'hydroelectricity' but is more commonly used as a modifier (e.g. 'hydroelectric power station'). In a learner's dictionary context, if you mean the electricity itself, 'hydroelectricity' is the best choice; if you mean the energy source as a category, 'hydropower' is more natural.

hydropower ↗water powerhydroelectric power

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • generate hydroelectricity
  • produce hydroelectricity
  • use hydroelectricity
  • a source of hydroelectricity
  • hydroelectricity generation
  • hydroelectricity plant

Prepositions