English · Word Candidate

hydraulic

/haɪˈdɹɒlɪk/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: hydraulics · hydraulicking · hydraulicked

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Pertaining to water.

Adjective

Examples

Tho' there are but seventeen feet water^([sic]) in the channel, I have seen vessels of five hundred ton enter into it. I know not why this entrance is left so neglected, as we are not in want of able engineers in France, in the hydraulic branch, a part of the mathematics to which I have most applyed

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Related to, or operated by, hydraulics.

Adjective

Examples

A hydraulic press is operated by the differential pressure of water on pistons of different dimensions.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To mine using the technique of hydraulic mining.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hydraulic” mean?

Pertaining to water.

Is “hydraulic” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.