breakwater
A breakwater is a heavy structure, such as a wall or barrier, built out into the sea to protect a harbor or beach from the force of waves. Its primary purpose is to create calm water for ships or to prevent coastal erosion by absorbing the energy of the surf.
Exemples
3 sur 5We spent the afternoon walking along the stone breakwater, watching the spray of the waves.
We spent the afternoon walking along the stone barrier, watching the spray of the waves.
The proposed breakwater extension is designed to mitigate the impact of seasonal storm surges on the marina.
The planned wall extension is intended to reduce the effect of seasonal storm waves on the harbor.
The breakwater is the best spot around here if you want to catch some big fish.
The sea wall is the best place in this area if you want to catch large fish.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of the word literally: it is a structure designed to 'break' the 'water' (waves) before they hit the shore.
Quiz rapide
The ships stayed safely in the harbor, protected from the storm by the massive stone ________.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : breakwater
Exemples
We spent the afternoon walking along the stone breakwater, watching the spray of the waves.
everydayWe spent the afternoon walking along the stone barrier, watching the spray of the waves.
The proposed breakwater extension is designed to mitigate the impact of seasonal storm surges on the marina.
formalThe planned wall extension is intended to reduce the effect of seasonal storm waves on the harbor.
The breakwater is the best spot around here if you want to catch some big fish.
informalThe sea wall is the best place in this area if you want to catch large fish.
Hydrodynamic modeling suggests that a submerged breakwater would be more effective for sediment retention than a traditional surface structure.
academicFluid modeling shows that an underwater barrier would work better for keeping sand than a standard wall.
The city council approved the budget for the breakwater repair to safeguard local maritime commerce.
businessThe city officials agreed on the funds for fixing the barrier to protect local sea trade.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
behind the breakwater
in the calm water protected by the barrier
breakwater wall
the physical structure of the breakwater
artificial breakwater
a man-made barrier against waves
Souvent confondu avec
A seawall is built directly on the shoreline to prevent land erosion, while a breakwater is usually offshore to create calm water.
A jetty is typically used to keep a river mouth or harbor entrance open, whereas a breakwater's main job is wave protection.
Notes d'usage
Use this word primarily when discussing coastal engineering, maritime safety, or geography. It is a technical term but commonly understood by people living in coastal areas.
Erreurs courantes
Learners sometimes confuse it with a 'dam'; however, a dam stops the flow of a river, while a breakwater only blocks the energy of sea waves.
Astuce mémo
Think of the word literally: it is a structure designed to 'break' the 'water' (waves) before they hit the shore.
Origine du mot
A compound of the English words 'break' and 'water', emerging in the late 18th century to describe structures that break the force of the sea.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In many island nations like the UK or Japan, breakwaters are iconic parts of the coastal landscape and are often used as public walking paths.
Quiz rapide
The ships stayed safely in the harbor, protected from the storm by the massive stone ________.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : breakwater
Vocabulaire associé
Mots lis
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individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
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