breakwater

noun

break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce breakwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: an offshore structure (such as a wall) protecting a harbor or beach from the force of waves

Examples of breakwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pilot project can generate up to 100 kilowatts of power — enough for about 100 homes — and company officials told the Times the ultimate goal is to install steel floaters along the port’s 8-mile breakwater to generate about 60 megawatts of power, or enough for about 60,000 homes. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025 And a stone jetty, or breakwater, to protect the harbor was installed in 2020. Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025 The Bayfront And Barge By the water, a giant ornamental stone barge juts into Biscayne Bay, designed to resemble a Venetian boat and double as a breakwater. Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025 The breakwaters are expected to slow shoreline erosion and eventually lead to sediment deposition on the beach. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for breakwater

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakwater was circa 1769

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Cite this Entry

“Breakwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakwater. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

breakwater

noun
break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce breakwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: an offshore structure (as a wall) to protect a harbor or beach from the force of waves

More from Merriam-Webster on breakwater

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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