Word
breakwater
Phoneticsbreak·wa·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹeɪˌkwɔtɝ/
UK/bɹˈeɪkwɔːtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a long wall built out into the sea to block strong waves and keep a harbour or beach safe.
n. a barrier structure extending into or enclosing a body of water, designed to dissipate wave energy and shelter a harbour or shoreline from erosion.
Examples
“The breakwater protects the harbour from strong waves.”
“Fishing boats shelter behind the breakwater while the storm passes along the coast.”
“Engineers extended the granite breakwater another hundred metres after winter swells repeatedly breached the old harbour entrance.”
Examples
simple
“The breakwater protects the harbour from strong waves.”
contextual
“Fishing boats shelter behind the breakwater while the storm passes along the coast.”
complex
“Engineers extended the granite breakwater another hundred metres after winter swells repeatedly breached the old harbour entrance.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “breakwater” in context.
Verb
01. breakwater encloses
“The breakwater encloses a calm anchorage for fishing boats.”
noun + verb
02. breakwater protects
“The breakwater protects the harbour from powerful Atlantic swells.”
noun + verb
03. build breakwater
“The city plans to build a breakwater to protect the harbour.”
verb + noun
04. construct breakwater
“Engineers constructed a breakwater to defend the coastline.”
verb + noun
05. crash against breakwater
“Huge waves crashed against the breakwater all night.”
verb + prep + noun
06. extend breakwater
“The council voted to extend the breakwater by 200 metres.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. artificial breakwater
“The artificial breakwater keeps the marina calm in rough seas.”
adj + noun
08. crumbling breakwater
“The crumbling breakwater is closed to pedestrians for safety reasons.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. end of breakwater
“A small lighthouse stands at the end of the breakwater.”
noun + prep + noun
10. gap in breakwater
“Boats enter the harbour through a gap in the breakwater.”
noun + prep + noun
11. beyond the breakwater
“Beyond the breakwater, the sea was rough and choppy.”
12. build a new breakwater
“The town raised funds to build a new breakwater.”
Etymology
From break + water. Compare Dutch breekwater (“breakwater”). Compare firebreak.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/breakwater