What kind of mill did Leonardo da Vinci design to use moving water as its power source?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a water-powered mill to use moving water as its power source.

A water-powered mill transfers the energy of flowing or falling water to a wheel, which turns machinery. Leonardo studied hydraulic power as part of his wider interest in rivers, canals, irrigation, and industrial equipment. His drawings explored water wheels and mechanisms that could convert water movement into useful rotary motion.

Water mills were not Leonardo’s invention; they had existed for centuries before his lifetime. His contribution was to analyze and refine mechanical arrangements, including ways to improve power transmission and integrate water-driven machinery into larger systems.

The term “water-powered mill” describes the energy source, not a single unique machine. Such mills could grind grain, saw wood, or drive other equipment. They differ from windmills, which obtain mechanical energy from moving air.