weir

[weer]

noun

1. a small dam in a river or stream.

2. a fence, as of brush or narrow boards, or a net set in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish.

Weir

¹

/ wɪə /

noun

1. Judith. born 1954, Scottish composer: her operas include A Night at the Chinese Opera (1987), and Armida (2005)

2. Peter. born 1944, Australian film director; his films include Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998), and Master and Commander (2003)

weir

²

/ wɪə /

noun

1. a low dam that is built across a river to raise the water level, divert the water, or control its flow

2. a series of traps or enclosures placed in a stream to catch fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weir¹

before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weir¹

Old English wer; related to Old Norse ver, Old Frisian were, German Wehr

Example Sentences

On Monday the court heard Kane's post-mortem examination confirmed he had died from drowning after going into freezing water at a river with rock weirs and deep pools, where he became trapped by the current.

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At 08:56, kneeling on her SUP, Lloyd slid down the fish pass in the centre of the weir and was swept quickly downriver.

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On Tuesday, the court was shown photos of a weir the group was trying to navigate.

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"Of the eight individuals who went over the weir that day only four survived," he said.

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It added "the river was running fast and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition", and three of the participants became trapped after being pulled over the top of the Haverfordwest Town Weir.

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Related Words

• bank 
• barrier 
• dike 
• ditch 
• gate 
• levee