hydraulic cement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Industrial
Quick answer
What does “hydraulic cement” mean?
A type of cement that sets and hardens through chemical reaction with water, forming a water-resistant product.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of cement that sets and hardens through chemical reaction with water, forming a water-resistant product.
A powdered cementitious material, typically containing Portland cement, which reacts with water to form a durable, insoluble binder used in construction, especially in wet or underwater environments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the compound noun is identical. Minor potential differences in related terminology (e.g., 'hardcore' vs. 'base course' in construction contexts).
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally technical and low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in engineering, construction, and materials science contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hydraulic cement” in a Sentence
Hydraulic cement + VERB (sets/hardens) + when mixed with water.USE + hydraulic cement + FOR + purpose (e.g., for foundations).Manufacturers produce hydraulic cement.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hydraulic cement” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The mixture will hydraulicly set within a few hours.
American English
- The mixture will hydraulically set within a few hours.
adjective
British English
- The hydraulic-cement properties were crucial for the harbour wall.
American English
- The hydraulic cement properties were crucial for the harbor wall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement, specifications, and contracts for construction materials.
Academic
Central term in civil engineering, materials science, and construction technology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used; laypersons might simply say 'cement' or 'concrete mix'.
Technical
Precise term distinguishing cement that hardens underwater from other binders; used in datasheets, manuals, and technical reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hydraulic cement”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hydraulic cement”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hydraulic cement”
- Confusing 'cement' (the powder binder) with 'concrete' (the composite material of cement, aggregate, and water).
- Using 'hydraulic' to mean 'powered by fluid pressure' (as in hydraulic jack) in this context, whereas here it refers to chemical reaction with water.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, standard Portland cement is a type of hydraulic cement. 'Hydraulic cement' is the broader category.
Yes, it is suitable, especially if the area is damp. Pre-mixed bags for consumer use often contain hydraulic cement.
Non-hydraulic cement (e.g., gypsum plaster) sets by drying out and can re-soften with water. Hydraulic cement sets via an irreversible chemical reaction with water and is water-resistant after curing.
Setting times vary by formulation. Some fast-setting types harden in minutes, while standard types may take several hours to initial set and weeks to reach full strength.
A type of cement that sets and hardens through chemical reaction with water, forming a water-resistant product.
Hydraulic cement is usually technical / industrial in register.
Hydraulic cement: in British English it is pronounced /haɪˈdrɒlɪk sɪˈmɛnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /haɪˈdrɑːlɪk səˈmɛnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; construction idioms like 'set in stone' relate to the result, not the material itself.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HYDRA (the multi-headed water serpent) LICKing cement. The cement hardens even while wet, just like the Hydra thrives in water.
Conceptual Metaphor
CEMENT AS A LIVING PROCESS: The powder is 'activated' by water, undergoes a 'reaction,' 'cures,' and 'gains strength,' akin to a biological process.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining property of hydraulic cement?