Definition

Adjective - Relating to the study of water: "hydrologic" describes something pertaining to the science of water, its distribution, movement, and properties on and beneath the Earth's surface, as well as in the atmosphere.

Usage Examples

• (Refers to the scientific process governing water circulation.)
• (Information about water flow and availability is used for planning.)
• (The patterns of water movement and storage have been altered.)

Advanced Usage

• "hydrologic modeling": the use of computer simulations to predict water-related phenomena.

  • Engineers rely on hydrologic modeling to design effective drainage systems. (They simulate water flow to plan infrastructure.)

• "hydrologic response": the way a watershed reacts to rainfall or other water inputs.

  • The hydrologic response of the urban area was rapid, causing flash floods. (The watershed quickly produced runoff after heavy rain.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hydrology (noun): the scientific study of water.

  • She earned a degree in hydrology to study river systems. (She focused on the science of water.)

• Hydrological (adjective): a synonym for "hydrologic," often used interchangeably.

  • The hydrological survey measured groundwater levels. (The study assessed underground water.)

• Hydrologist (noun): a scientist who studies water.

  • The hydrologist analyzed the river's flow patterns. (The water specialist examined the data.)

Synonyms

• Water-related: pertaining to water.
• Aquatic: relating to water (though more often used for living organisms in water).
• Hydrographic: relating to the mapping of water bodies (more specific to charting oceans, rivers, etc.).

Related Idioms

• None commonly used, as "hydrologic" is a technical term without idiomatic expressions.

Phrasal Verbs

• None associated with "hydrologic," as it is an adjective and not used with verbs in phrasal form.