breakwater

American  

[breyk-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈbreɪkˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /

noun

1. a barrier that breaks the force of waves, as before a harbor.

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breakwater British  

/ ˈbreɪkˌwɔːtə /

noun

1. Also called: mole.  a massive wall built out into the sea to protect a shore or harbour from the force of waves

2. another name for groyne

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breakwater Scientific  

/ brāk′wô′tər /

1. An offshore barrier, such as a jetty, that protects a harbor or shore from the full impact of waves.

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Etymology

Origin of breakwater

First recorded in 1715–25; break + water

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

breakwater

The H5N1 vaccination program, which also covers a popular little penguin population at a breakwater in the Melbourne beach suburb of St Kilda, is a challenge, he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Tens of thousands scaled fences and swam around a breakwater separating Moroccan territory from Spain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Security at the breakwater entrance was "10 times stronger than the previous day", Spanish newspaper El País reported.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

In the ad, Eastport’s Port Authority director celebrates Collins for her role in helping to secure federal grant money that allowed the breakwater to be rebuilt.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026

Lordsport was as crowded as he'd ever seen it, swarming with the crews of the longships that lined the pebbled shore and rode at anchor well out past the breakwater.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin