jetty

¹ American  

[jet-ee] / ˈdʒɛt i /

noun

• jetties
  plural

1. a pier or structure of stones, piles, or the like, projecting into the sea or other body of water to protect a harbor, deflect the current, etc.

2. a wharf or landing pier.

3. the piles or wooden structure protecting a pier.

4. Also an overhang, as of an upper story beyond a lower.

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verb (used with object)

jettied, jettying

1. to construct (part of a building) so that it projects beyond lower construction; jutty.

jetty ² American  

[jet-ee] / ˈdʒɛt i /

adjective

1. made of jet.

2. resembling jet, especially in color; of a deep black.

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jetty ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒɛtɪ /

noun

1. a structure built from a shore out into the water to direct currents or protect a harbour

2. a landing pier; dock

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jetty ² British  

/ ˈdʒɛtɪ /

adjective

1. of or resembling jet, esp in colour or polish

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• jettiness
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• jetties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jetty¹

1375–1425; late Middle English get ( t ) ey < Old French jetee, literally, something thrown out, a projection, noun use of jetee, feminine past participle of jeter to throw; see jet ¹

Origin of jetty²

First recorded in 1475–85; jet ² + -y ¹

Explanation

A jetty is a narrow structure that's built to stretch from land out into the water. Some jetties act as docks or piers for boats. A man-made jetty is often a protective barrier against beach erosion, and it also provides pedestrians access to boats or fishing areas. Jetties are generally made of concrete, wood, or stone. Jetty comes from the French jetee, which means both "a throw" and "a projecting part of a structure," or "a part that's 'thrown out' beyond the main structure."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jetty jetties jettied

"I hope that more ships are added and the jetty too is expanded, which is in a bad state," said Usman, 15, who was also travelling from Chowra to his home at Car Nicobar.

From Barron's ● May 18, 2026

At the dimly lit town market, a few hundred metres from the jetty, the stalls are still well stocked with fish, shrimp and blue crabs.

From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026

Robert Smithson had bulldozed dirt and rocks to build a spiral jetty coiling out into Utah’s Great Salt Lake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2025

Just as we pulled out from the harbour, the boat lurched and suddenly the jetty next to where we had boarded crumpled and fell into the sea.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

“In the fish house,” the bear told her, and turned to pad down toward the jetty.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

"We are going to augment facilities -- either by reconstruction, or construction of new jetties," he said, underlining that his service's mandate is to "touch every island".

From Barron's ● May 18, 2026

Getting vital supplies into the islands was tough with jetties unserviceable.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

“Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2024

Bangladesh also suspended loading and unloading in the country’s largest main seaport in Chittagong and moved more than a dozen ships from jetties to the deep sea as a precaution.

From Seattle Times ● May 26, 2024

We spend the morning hanging out on the jetties, collecting things, and having a couple of splash fights with our feet.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

One of the ships lay at the little island of Onroost, which is piled and jettied all around, and contained a small and compact repairing yard for merchant vessels of all nations.

From The Life of Admiral Viscount Exmouth by Osler, Edward

A number of questions crowded to Gregory's mind, as they crossed the jettied inlet and headed down the coast.

From El Diablo by Groesbeck, Dan Sayre

Related Words

• seawall
• wharf