dyke

dyke · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding from the sea or a river.

  2. 2.

    (Geology) A sheet of igneous rock that cuts across the structure of adjacent rocks.

  3. 3.

    (British) A ditch or channel for drainage.

Forms

plural: dykes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    put a finger in the dyke — To attempt to stop something disastrous (from the Dutch legend)
  • •
    sea dyke — A wall protecting land from the sea

Related words

See also: dam, embankment, levee
Synonyms: dam, dike, embankment, levee

Etymology

From Old Norse diki ("ditch"), related to Dutch dijk and German Teich ("pond"). Also spelled dike.