breakwater

noun

break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce breakwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
Synonyms of breakwaternext
: an offshore structure (such as a wall) protecting a harbor or beach from the force of waves

Examples of breakwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Video footage showed crowds of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Antonio Sempere Video footage showed crowds of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 Thousands of migrants breached the frontier into Spain’s tiny North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, surging past beach breakwaters and onto local roads in a dramatic border escalation. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Take a walk along Bearskin Neck and be sure to stop at the small galleries, jewelry studios, candy shops, and seafood counters before continuing to the breakwater. — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for breakwater

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakwater was in 1827

Rhymes for breakwater

See All Rhymes for breakwater

Browse Nearby Words

break/violate the law
breakwater
break wind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breakwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakwater. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

breakwater

noun
break·​wa·​ter ˈbrāk-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce breakwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: an offshore structure (as a wall) to protect a harbor or beach from the force of waves

More from Merriam-Webster on breakwater

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for breakwater

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breakwater

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All