weir
Americannoun
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a small dam in a river or stream.
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a fence, as of brush or narrow boards, or a net set in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish.
noun
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Judith. born 1954, Scottish composer: her operas include A Night at the Chinese Opera (1987), and Armida (2005)
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Peter. born 1944, Australian film director; his films include Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998), and Master and Commander (2003)
noun
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a low dam that is built across a river to raise the water level, divert the water, or control its flow
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a series of traps or enclosures placed in a stream to catch fish
Etymology
Origin of weir
before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up
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.
"Why didn't you tell the party there was a weir they were going over?" he said.
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025
Nicola Wheatley, 40, was one of four paddleboarders killed after descending a weir in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on 30 October 2021.
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025
Each of their SUPs pitched forward and they fell into the turbulent water at the foot of the weir.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
On Tuesday, the court was shown photos of a weir the group was trying to navigate.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2025
The force that carried her out was as smooth and powerful as water pouring over a weir; the particles of Dust were streaming along as if they, too, were pouring over some invisible edge.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
