breakwater

American  

[brayk-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 area historically has been hardest hit by high surf when powerful waves pass between the Alamitos Bay jetty and the breakwater which together act as a barrier between the ocean and the community.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

The report also mentioned "non-uniformed individuals" who were "managers of the process, monitoring in some cases, driving and directing in others, the mass of people towards" the breakwater.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

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

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Spanish officials began installing a makeshift, inflatable barrier extending 500 yards from a breakwater where many migrants had swum.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

So, when the backwash spewed him up again, he swam out and along, and scanned the coast for some landspit that made a breakwater.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer