From the prefix hydro-, from Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”). By surface analysis, hydr- (“water”) + -o-. The Canadian "electricity" sense is owing to hydroelectricity being the prevalent source of electricity in much of Canada and many electric companies having the word Hydro in their names.
Meanings
(abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, not-comparable) Clipping of hydroelectric.
For the sheer pleasure of speed, the aqua, or hydro, karts probably have all fun craft beat. 1965, Field & Stream, page 98:
You can also use sound healing, aromatherapy, massage, breath work, herbal and hydro therapies, and guided meditation for mind/body healing. 2016, Meera Lester, “Stimulate Your Mind with New Challenges”, in The Law of Attraction Made Easy: More Than 50 Exercises to Manifest the Life You Want, Adams Media, →ISBN, page 104:
hydro massage
Those members also get unlimited tanning, half-priced drinks and hydro and chair massages. 2017 May 6, Carrie Rengers, “Planet Fitness to open fifth Wichita gym”, in The Wichita Eagle, volume 145, number 126, Wichita, Kan., page 9A, columns 3–4:
From the prefix hydro-, from Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”). By surface analysis, hydr- (“water”) + -o-. The Canadian "electricity" sense is owing to hydroelectricity being the prevalent source of electricity in much of Canada and many electric companies having the word Hydro in their names.
Meanings
(abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, uncountable) Clipping of hydropower (“hydroelectric power”).
(Canada, uncountable) Electrical power supply; specifically, electrical power provided by a utility (as a publicly-owned one); payment or bills for this.
I won't have lights until my house gets the hydro turned on.
She was having trouble paying the hydro.
He crashed his car against a hydro pole.
(UK, countable, dated) A spa.
She almost lived at hotels and hydros, last year, but that isn't pleasant for her. 1909, Rudyard Kipling, The House Surgeon:
(abbreviation, alt-of, countable, obsolete) Abbreviation of hydroaeroplane.
“Can I get you somethin’ to drink?” she asked. “How much hydro you got in storage?” “Six Gs.” 1995, Max Allan Collins, chapter 4, in Waterworld, New York, N.Y.: Boulevard Books, →ISBN, page 37:
“[…] How about you, Del? Need another one?” Delila looked up from her glass and made her voice overly coarse in a mockery of Zeke’s. “Yeah, this water is pretty great. I’m hitting it hard, you know. Lemme get another glass of hydro on the rocks.” Her green eyes shone with mischief, as usual. Geneva laughed as she topped off Delila’s glass. She was used to Del’s sarcastic nature by now, as well as her dislike for alcoholic drinks. 2023 June 17, Micky Carre, chapter 1, in Like Tears in Rain (Aurora Chronicles; 2), ASIN B0C4HYYT6P:
Taking in the right amount of fiber and also consuming 6 to eight glasses of hydro are going to lead to softer, bulkier digestive tract actions. 2015 April 18, “Details for An Uncommon - Yet Efficient Operation To Find Hemorrhoids”, in ISHPRASH Web Directory, archived from the original on 02 Aug 2016:
Dihydrogen monoxide is the chemical name for water, and a quartet of Riverside High School students are up to their necks in the hot kind after their Internet-inspired prank made dozens of homeowners not readily acquainted with chemical terms hyper over hydro. 1997 April 19, Dennis B[rian Patrick] Roddy, “Internet-inspired prank lands 4 teens in hot water”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, volume 70, number 262, Pittsburgh, Pa.: Block Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1:
He grabbed a bottle of hydro from the bureau and fumbled nervously to open it. 2011 October 17, eric.k.gale, “Cronus Distraction”, in Io Rising: Espionage in the Twenty-Third Century, Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse, →ISBN, part I (De Omnibus Dubitandum), page 38:
You're probably smoking that $50 an ounce garbage that people sell in Dallas. Buy some hydro. That way you only need like three hits, and no paranoia. 1999 June 21, 83, “Whigg out on weed?”, in alt.rave (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Feb 2026:
Dope is kinda like riding a bike that doesn't go anywhere, flips upside down, and who's number of wheels varies, during use, between 1 and 4. And sometimes there's fuzzy purple things riding on it with you. But you have to get hold of some hydro if you want the purple things to sing. 1999 June 13, Lithium, “Marijuana Kills!”, in misc.fitness.weights (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Feb 2026:
get a pipe and some hydro (potent weed) and toke away!, enjoy 2001 March 8, HRdSpencer, “Smoking Weed?”, in alt.music.dave-matthews (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Feb 2026:
(abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, slang, uncountable) Clipping of hydrocodone.
Dave, get some hydro or some codeine and just extract the good stuff from the APAP. Oxy has the stronger side effects, but with hydro/codeine you're almost guaranteed 100% nice floaties. 2001 January 26, Plastic Fantastic Lover, “I'd kill for vicodan.^([sic])”, in alt.music.nirvana (Usenet), archived from the original on 27 Jan 2026:
Hydro and Oxy are both semi-synthetic opioids, which means they are synthisized^([sic]) from opium products (Oxy being synthizised from Thebane IIRC). 2001 May 3, Brian, “Oxycodone information: dosages and strength”, in alt.support.depression.manic (Usenet), archived from the original on 27 Jan 2026:
I was taking up to 100mg of hydro daily. […] But as i tried to take more hydro it would hurt. 2005 January 8, mikey, “PVC skipped heart beats cause of hydrocodone abuse?”, in sci.med.cardiology (Usenet), archived from the original on 27 Jan 2026: