[ ˌhʌɪdrə(ʊ)'pɒnɪks ]
■ plural noun [treated as sing. ] the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
Derivatives
hydroponic adjective
hydroponically adverb
Origin
1930s: from hydro- + Gk ponos 'labour' + -ics .