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

A queue of traders and families waited in line at the jetty.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Much of the erosion has occurred near the west jetty where the popular surfing spot the Wedge is located.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

"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

Local pilots and tugboat crews had said they could take the vessel further out to sea or to a jetty to offload the oil but "were ignored", he claimed.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026

Whatever the submarine had been delivering on the jetty, it couldn’t be anything to do with computers.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Authorities have recommended measures including providing safer boats and life jackets, dredging waterways, deploying water guards at jetties and terminals, and ensuring boat operators are properly trained and licensed.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

People should either stay out of the water or swim near lifeguards and avoid rock jetties, which can be deadly in such conditions, the weather service said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

"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

"Stay off jetties, piers, and other waterside infrastructure," the National Weather Service warned in a release on Thursday.

From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2024

There was an ancient wooden meeting hall there with a huddle of permanent dwellings around it, and wharves and jetties and an eelmarket.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

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

From El Diablo by Dan Sayre Groesbeck

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 Edward Osler

Related Words

• seawall
• wharf