jetty
1 Americannoun
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jetties
plural
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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.
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a wharf or landing pier.
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the piles or wooden structure protecting a pier.
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Also an overhang, as of an upper story beyond a lower.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a structure built from a shore out into the water to direct currents or protect a harbour
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a landing pier; dock
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing jetty
Physical Geography - Middle School
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Physical Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Because it protrudes at a slight angle, swells approaching from the south or southwest bounce off the jetty and mutate into triangular peaks—hence the spot’s name.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
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 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
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
We could distinguish no streamlet, no jetty, and all distances seemed one.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
In August, sand erosion exposed a pair of jetties that were built decades ago to stop beach erosion and protect oceanfront homes near the entrance of Newport Harbor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
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
"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
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
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