noun
hydrology
hy-DROL-uh-jee
Hydrology (noun) means the scientific study of how water occurs, moves and behaves on land, underground and in the air. Example: “She studied hydrology at university before working for an environment agency.”
noun
1
The scientific study of how water occurs, moves and behaves on land, underground and in the air.
"She studied hydrology at university before working for an environment agency."
"Hydrology explains how rainfall becomes river flow."
"The report looks at flood risk in the context of local hydrology."
2
The pattern of how water is found and moves in a given area.
"The hydrology of the valley changed after the new dam was built."
"Engineers surveyed the hydrology of the site before building began."
"Peat bogs have a very distinctive hydrology."
How to use hydrology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe study of water and how it moves and is spread across the land, in the ground and in the air.
When to use it
It is a scientific term used in earth science, engineering and environmental work.
Easily confused with
hydraulics →
hydrography
Common pairings
local hydrology
study hydrology
a hydrology report
river hydrology
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She studied _____ at university before working for an environment agency.
Etymology
The word is formed in English from the prefix hydro- and the ending -ology.
Rhymes for hydrology
See all rhymes for hydrology →Frequently asked questions
What is hydrology?
Hydrology is the scientific study of how water occurs, moves and behaves on land, underground and in the air.
What does a hydrologist do?
A hydrologist works in hydrology, so studies how water moves and where it is found.
Is hydrology countable?
It is usually uncountable, though it can be used with 'the' when it refers to the water of a particular place.
What is the meaning of hydrology?
"hydrology" (noun) means the scientific study of how water occurs, moves and behaves on land, underground and in the air.
