hydrant

[ hahy-druhnt ]

noun

1. an upright pipe with a spout, nozzle, or other outlet, usually in the street, for drawing water from a main or service pipe, especially for fighting fires.
2. a water faucet.

hydrant

/ ˈhaɪdrənt /

noun

1. an outlet from a water main, usually consisting of an upright pipe with a valve attached, from which water can be tapped for fighting fires See also fire hydrant

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrant¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10; hydr- ¹ + -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrant¹

C19: from hydro- + -ant

Example Sentences

“Just to locate fire hydrants when the water system is failing — everything is dangerous out there,” Johnson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Firefighters had arrived; but without fire hydrants around his property, they were left with his garden hose.

From Los Angeles Times

In those moments I feel so far from home — my original home, on the East Coast in the inner city, where my closest natural respite was a patch of grass beside a fire hydrant.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were inside of a structure fire and starting to make good headway when the hydrants went dry,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the last year, Los Angeles has seen a surge of thefts of copper, brass and other metals from street lights, tombstones, fire hydrants and transit rail lines, among other places.

From Los Angeles Times