weir
noun
a small dam in a river or stream.
weir
American
[weer]
/ wɪər /
noun
weirs
plural
-
a small dam in a river or stream.
-
a fence, as of brush or narrow boards, or a net set in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish.
Weir
1
British
/ wɪə /
noun
-
Judith. born 1954, Scottish composer: her operas include A Night at the Chinese Opera (1987), and Armida (2005)
-
Peter. born 1944, Australian film director; his films include Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998), and Master and Commander (2003)
weir
2
British
/ wɪə /
noun
-
a low dam that is built across a river to raise the water level, divert the water, or control its flow
-
a series of traps or enclosures placed in a stream to catch fish
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of weir
before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up
Vocabulary lists containing weir
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said there was a plan to get out of the water ahead of the weir but the force of the water meant she and the others were carried over it.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
O'Dwyer deferred to Lloyd as the company owner to decide the final route but raised valid concerns, such as the drop over the weir.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
Lloyd's company Salty Dog had organised the excursion in which Paul O'Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers and Nicola Wheatley drowned at a weir in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025
Within about a minute, the next six paddleboarders descended the weir.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
A stone weir slowed the current and was a favorite diving and jumping-off place.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
