water power

plural water powers · alternative waterpower

1. uncountableusuallyMechanical or electrical energy derived from running or falling water; originally obtained from a waterwheel immersed in a stream; modern hydroelectric power is obtained from turbines fed from reservoirs.

   Advantage has been taken of the abundant natural water-power resources (which compensate, to a large extent, for the absence of coal) and some 660 route miles have been electrified with overhead conductors.

   1952 January, “Electrification Progress in Norway”, in Railway Magazine, page 54

2. countableusuallyA site capable of generating power or the right to use a site to generate power.
3. uncountableusuallyThe capacity to shoot water, as from a fire hose or squirt gun

   Fire trucks were parked everywhere: a new arrival was being carefully backed around the stacked pallets to add some new waterpower.

   1988 October 14, Bill Wyman, “Fire and Water”, in Chicago Reader