wall

¹wall

noun \ˈwȯl\

Definition of WALL

1

a : a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense —often used in plural b : a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c : a structure that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding earth)

2

: one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof

3

: the side of a footpath next to buildings

4

: an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin <the surrounded troops had their backs against the wall>

5

: a material layer enclosing space <the wall of a container> <heart walls>

6

: something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect); especially : something that acts as a barrier or defense <a wall of reserve> <tariff wall>

— wall–like \ˈwȯl-ˌlīk\ adjective

— off the wall

slang : crazy <the plan was off the wall>

— up the wall

slang : into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the wall>

Examples of WALL

1. A stone wall marks off their property.
2. the Great Wall of China
3. the walls of the ancient city
4. She hung posters on the walls of her room.
5. This apartment building has thin walls, and you can hear everything your neighbors say.
6. Muscles in the abdominal wall help protect organs.

Origin of WALL

Middle English, from Old English weall; akin to Middle High German wall; both from Latin vallum rampart, from vallus stake, palisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff — more at wale

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WALL

Synonyms: barricade, fence, hedge, barrier

Related Words: bar, pale, paling; block, chain, clog, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, handicap, hindrance, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, obstacle, obstruction, roadblock, stop, stumbling block, trammel; fetter, hobble, manacle, shackle(s); constraint, curb, restraint, snag; buffer, bulwark, bumper, cushion, dam, fender, pad, rampart

Near Antonyms: door, doorway, entrance, entranceway, entry, entryway, gate, portal; break, gap, pass

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

Rhymes with WALL

all, awl, ball, bawl, brawl, call, caul, crawl, doll, drawl, fall, gall, hall, haul, kraal, mall, maul, moll, pall, pawl, Saul, scall, scrawl, shawl, small, spall, sprawl, squall, stall, tall, thrall, trawl, yawl