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.
Examples
3 of 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.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word literally: it is a structure designed to 'break' the 'water' (waves) before they hit the shore.
Quick Quiz
The ships stayed safely in the harbor, protected from the storm by the massive stone ________.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breakwater
Examples
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.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
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
Often Confused With
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.
Usage Notes
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
Memory Tip
Think of the word literally: it is a structure designed to 'break' the 'water' (waves) before they hit the shore.
Word Origin
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.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
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.
Quick Quiz
The ships stayed safely in the harbor, protected from the storm by the massive stone ________.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breakwater
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
people
A1People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.
put
A1To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.
mean
A1To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.
keep
A1To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.
begin
A1To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.
seem
A1To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.
help
A1To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.
talk
A1To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.
start
A1To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.
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