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noun

hydrate

heye-DRAYT

Hydrate (noun) means a chemical compound that has water molecules bound into its structure. Example: “Copper sulfate hydrate turns blue when it absorbs water.”

noun
1
A chemical compound that has water molecules bound into its structure.
"Copper sulfate hydrate turns blue when it absorbs water."
verb
1
To supply the body (or a substance) with water.
"Athletes are told to hydrate well before a race."
"The moisturiser is designed to hydrate dry skin."

How to use hydrate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo take in water, or a compound that has water chemically bound within it.

Common mistake

In everyday speech "hydrate" just means "drink water," but in chemistry it specifically means water molecules are bonded into the structure of a compound.

Common pairings
hydrate the skin stay hydrated hydrate before exercise

Word forms

hydrated past tense, hydrates plural, hydrates singular

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Copper sulfate _____ turns blue when it absorbs water.

Etymology

From French hydrate, built from the Greek word hydor ("water") plus the chemical suffix "-ate."

Origin: French

Rhymes for hydrate

See all rhymes for hydrate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hydrate” mean?

The word “hydrate” means a chemical compound that has water molecules bound into its structure. In plain terms, to take in water, or a compound that has water chemically bound within it.

How do you pronounce “hydrate”?

“Hydrate” is pronounced heye-DRAYT (/haɪˈdɹeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “hydrate” in a sentence?

Here is “hydrate” used in a sentence: “Copper sulfate hydrate turns blue when it absorbs water.”

What part of speech is “hydrate”?

Depending on how it is used, “hydrate” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hydrate” come from?

The word “hydrate” comes from French. From French hydrate, built from the Greek word hydor ("water") plus the chemical suffix "-ate.".

How many meanings does “hydrate” have?

“Hydrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical compound that has water molecules bound into its structure.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial