jetty

¹

[jet-ee]

noun

plural

jetties 

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.

verb (used with object)

jettied, jettying 

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

jetty

²

[jet-ee]

adjective

1. made of jet.

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

jetty

¹

/ 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

jetty

²

/ ˈdʒɛtɪ /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• jettiness noun

Word History and Origins

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; jet ¹

Origin of jetty²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of jetty¹

C15: from Old French jetee projecting part, literally: something thrown out, from jeter to throw; see _jet ¹

Example Sentences

“I just had a surfer run up to the truck,” a lifeguard said on dispatch audio, “he’s saying there’s a dog that’s on the jetty.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Sneaker waves can unexpectedly run significantly farther up the beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties,” the weather service advised.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Kevin King, 57, was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his boat — the 48-foot-long “Four Kings” — into the jetty, prosecutors alleged Wednesday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• seawall www.thesaurus.com
• wharf