Meaning & use
hydrology
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
The scientific study of water: where it is found, how it moves, and what it affects.
Grammar: Uncountable: say 'the study of hydrology', not 'a hydrology' or 'hydrologies'.
Patterns
- the study of hydrology
- a degree in hydrology
- research in hydrology
She earned a master's degree in hydrology.
Hydrology helps engineers predict how much water a reservoir will collect.
The conference covered hydrology, geology, and climate science.
noununcountabletechnical
The water systems of a particular area, seen as a subject of study.
Grammar: Uncountable but often used with 'the' plus a place: the hydrology of the delta.
Patterns
- the hydrology of something
- study the hydrology of a region
The hydrology of the delta changed after the new canal was built.
Researchers spent two years documenting the hydrology of the wetland.
Common combinations
- the study of hydrology
- The study of hydrology explains why some regions flood repeatedly.
- a degree in hydrology
- He completed a degree in hydrology before joining the water agency.
- research in hydrology
- Her research in hydrology focuses on mountain snowmelt.
- the hydrology of a region
- The hydrology of the region depends on seasonal monsoon rains.
- hydrology and geology
- The course combines hydrology and geology in one program.
Synonyms and how they differ
- water science
- A broad, everyday label for the field; 'hydrology' is the precise academic term used in universities and reports.
Word family
- hydrologist noun
- A scientist who works in hydrology.
- hydrological adjective
- Relating to the study of water, as in 'hydrological cycle'.
- hydrologically adverb
- In a way that relates to the study of water.
Commonly confused: hydrology or hydrography? hydrology or geology?
hydrology vs hydrography
Hydrography is the measuring and charting of water bodies, mainly for navigation; hydrology is the wider scientific study of water.
hydrology vs geology
Geology studies rocks and the Earth's structure; hydrology studies water, though the two fields often overlap.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'hydrology' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Hydrology' is the academic study of water, so option 1 fits. It is uncountable and cannot be an object you buy, a plant, or a repair method.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hydrology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.