spillway

noun

spill·​way ˈspil-ˌwā How to pronounce spillway (audio)
: a passage for surplus water to run over or around an obstruction (such as a dam)

Examples of spillway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Next to the lake, a spillway flows into a stream that the Department of Water Resources refers to as Blue Canyon Creek. Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2024 At full capacity, wind over Lake Oroville could produce waves that crash over the crest of the emergency spillway — a normal and expected function of the design. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for spillway 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spillway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spillway was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near spillway

Cite this Entry

“Spillway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spillway. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

spillway

noun
spill·​way ˈspil-ˌwā How to pronounce spillway (audio)
: a passage for extra water to run over or around a dam

More from Merriam-Webster on spillway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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