hydrant

USAGE SUMMARY

'hydrant' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It refers to a pipe or faucet for drawing water from a main supply, typically located on the streets for fire-fighting purposes. Example: The fire department quickly connected their hoses to the nearest hydrant to help extinguish the blazing inferno.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The worst-hit suppliers have, in the words of one analyst, been "caught between the dog and the fire hydrant".Uncomfortable though that position may be, the rise in the ratio of inventories to sales has so far been modest, compared with the wild swings of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Economist

One of the most famous, in Chicago, started after teenagers were stopped from bathing in a fire hydrant they had opened.

The Economist

In one classic experiment, two groups of students were shown slides of an object, say a fire hydrant or a pair of spectacles.

The Economist

One of its early victories was in Jerusalem, where it found that a fire hydrant was being used to fill a private swimming pool thus pulling the plug, as it were, on a very surprised water thief.

The Economist

It's a wonder his son didn't drive into a fire hydrant sooner than he did.Mr McIlroy has none of these problems.

The Economist

He could always go back to being dean of Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, as he did in 1980, even though "dean is to faculty as a hydrant is to a dog".His great passion was to set things free: not just the airlines, not just his own wickedly candid tongue, but also the English language.

The Economist

Accompanying "The Edge of the World" is the drawing of a small girl peering over the edge of a ledge so thin that a fire hydrant, a dog, a signpost, and a worm protrude halfway through.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The do, at the ZIN Bistro in the Los Angeles suburb of Westlake Village, will take place less than four miles from where Woods will lead a field of 16 elite PGA tour players to compete for the Chevron golf tournament title at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks.Thus, even a year after his minor skirmish with fire hydrant and tree, the infidelities of the past shadow him.

Independent

When emergency crews attached a hose to a fire hydrant a protestor slashed it with a knife.

Independent

The final chapter in a marriage that so publicly hit trouble in November, when Woods crashed an SUV into a fire hydrant outside his Florida home - sparking a chain of events that turned him from squeaky-clean superstar athlete into an international punch-line - was being written by teams of lawyers last week, as he and his wife Elin haggled over their divorce agreement.

Independent

Deep down, despite the forgiveness, one will probably still fantasise about letting off a fire hydrant in the groom's face.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about fire safety or emergency response, use the term "hydrant" to clearly indicate the specific water source available for firefighting. Always verify its location to provide accurate details.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "hydrant" is exclusively for fire emergencies. While its primary use is firefighting, it can also serve other purposes like street cleaning or filling water trucks under proper authorization.

Linguistic Context

The word "hydrant" functions primarily as a noun, designating a specific type of outlet providing access to a water supply, typically for firefighting. Ludwig AI confirms its role as a common noun in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hydrant" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to refer to a water outlet, primarily for firefighting. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various sources. As Ludwig examples show, it frequently appears in "News & Media" and encyclopedia sources. Related terms include "fireplug" and "water outlet". When using the term "hydrant", ensure clarity in its purpose, especially in professional writing. Avoid overlooking its additional uses beyond firefighting. This guide offers writing best practices and addresses common errors, ensuring correct and effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fireplug

A more informal synonym for a fire hydrant.

fire water supply

Indicates that the hydrant is a water source for fighting fires.

water outlet

Refers to the general function of a hydrant as a source of water.

water tap

Highlights the tapping functionality of a hydrant.

standpipe

Describes a vertical pipe used for water supply, similar to a hydrant.

water valve

Focuses on the valve mechanism of a hydrant.

water connection

Emphasizes the role of a hydrant as a point of connection to the water supply.

street valve

Highlights the location and function of a hydrant.

water source

A broad term referring to any source of water, including a hydrant.

municipal water access

Referring to the public water system connection.

FAQs

How is a fire hydrant used?

A fire hydrant is used by connecting a hose to its outlet and opening a valve to access a high-pressure water supply for extinguishing fires or other purposes.

What's another word for hydrant?

Another word for "hydrant" is "fireplug", a more informal term for the same device.

Is it legal to park in front of a fire hydrant?

No, it's generally illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant because it obstructs access for emergency services. Local regulations vary, so check local laws for specific distances.

How do you maintain a fire hydrant?

Fire hydrants are maintained through regular inspections, lubrication of moving parts, pressure testing, and ensuring they are free from obstructions to guarantee proper functionality in emergencies.