breakwater

noun

break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯ-tər 

-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

That day, six medium-sized speedboats, belonging to drug traffickers or smugglers, had sought refuge from a storm among the breakwaters and docks of the port. —Óscar Martínez, The Dial, 30 Apr. 2026

Investigators say initial reports said that a bass boat had hit a breakwater, which is a long wall usually built by the shore to reduce erosion. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

The hot spring pools blend into the natural rocky breakwater barriers and offer the opportunity for a warm soak after swimming in the sea. —Lauren Breedlove, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026

Manmade structures like the pier and breakwater at Michigan City and the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor in Portage disrupt the natural flow of sand along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for breakwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater
• manslaughter

Kids Definition

breakwater

noun

break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: an offshore structure (as a wall) to protect a harbor or beach from the force of waves