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

The Wedge was created in the 1930s, when the Army Corps of Engineers extended a rock jetty some 2,000 feet out from the beach to protect the entrance to Newport Harbor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The jagged wood pilings are likely from railroad trestles installed to carry boulders out to the existing jetty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The material exposed at the Wedge surf spot in Newport Beach by powerful swells is believed to be part of an old jetty that was constructed decades ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Tony turned along the waterfront and out onto a wooden jetty, from which he stepped on board a narrowboat and swung open the door to the cabin.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

Some of the newly uncovered objects are from the city’s unsuccessful attempts to build jetties in the early 1900s, before the Army Corps of Engineers took over, said local historian William Lobdell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The rip currents and massive surf are capable of capsizing small boats, knocking people off jetties and pulling swimmers out to sea.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Army Corps of Engineers built a pair of jetties to stop beach erosion and protect oceanfront homes near the entrance of Newport Harbor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 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

When the waves are rolling in, my friends are the jetties.

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 Edward Osler

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

Related Words

• seawall
• wharf