seawall

noun

sea·​wall ˈsē-ˌwȯl How to pronounce seawall (audio)
: a wall or embankment to protect the shore from erosion or to act as a breakwater

Examples of seawall 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.
In the more recent Blade Runner 2049 and Syfy Network series The Expanse, massive seawalls try to protect a future Los Angeles and New York City from sea-level rise caused by climate change. Peter H. Gleick, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025 Beachfront hotels have been rebuilt on slightly higher ground, further protected by seawalls. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024 New York City has planned to build several expansive—and expensive—seawalls to protect it from rising sea levels and storm surges, although some of these have been stalled amid debates over their cost, feasibility and effectiveness. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 One seawall seemed to be disgorging a steady stream of liquid into the river, as if connected to a spigot. Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for seawall 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seawall was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near seawall

Cite this Entry

“Seawall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seawall. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

seawall

noun
sea·​wall ˈsē-ˌwȯl How to pronounce seawall (audio)
: a wall or bank to prevent sea waves from wearing away the shore

More from Merriam-Webster on seawall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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