jetty

¹

[ jet-ee ]

noun

, plural jet·ties.

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)

, jet·tied, jet·ty·ing.

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 /

adjective

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

jetty

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈjettiness, noun

Other Words From

• jetti·ness 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

Carlsbad and its Tamarack State Beach has its own jetty to trap sand there, the Coast News reported.

From Voice of San Diego

The other options would be building two artificial reefs, or extending an existing jetty or continuing to slap sand on the beach.

From Voice of San Diego

There are a few options on the table, like building jetties or an artificial reef designed to keep sand near the coast.

From Voice of San Diego

The bulk of recreational diving for Florida lobsters is done in the Florida Keys, where spiny lobsters are found under small rocky shelves, near reefs, and around jetties.

From Popular-Science

The Daily Pic: Robert Smithson found spirals before his "Jetty".

From The Daily Beast

The mask also points to how early Smithson came to the main motif of his most famous work, the “Spiral Jetty” earthwork from 1970.

From The Daily Beast

When the waves reached their violent peak, a BUD/S instructor standing on top of the jetty would signal with his flashlight.

From The Daily Beast

From these homes one can see the lighthouse, the jetty, some small islands, but nothing more.

From The Daily Beast

It also authorised the construction and maintenance, as p. 150part of such railways, of any pier, quay or jetty.

From Project Gutenberg

The half-dozen serviceable boats were gathered a couple of hundred yards away about a short wooden jetty.

From Project Gutenberg

The tide was creaming over the short thumb of a jetty, and the herd of small black cows was patrolling the beach.

From Project Gutenberg

The boats by the short thumb of a jetty had not been used for a week, and lay high up the beach.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only has this town no fort, but it has not even a jetty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• seawall
• wharf