wharf

noun

ˈ(h)wȯrf 

plural wharves ˈ(h)wȯrvz  also wharfs

1

: a structure built along or at an angle from the shore of navigable waters so that ships may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and passengers

2

obsolete : the bank of a river or the shore of the sea

Synonyms

• dock
• float
• jetty
• landing
• levee
• pier
• quai
• quay

Examples of wharf in a Sentence

tied the rowboat up at the wharf

Recent Examples on the Web

Three construction workers serving as project managers and leads for the work fell into the ocean when the wharf collapsed. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025

The existing wharf is actually the sixth wharf that has been constructed off the city’s coast. —Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

Trending Nationally 1 dead, 5 injured in boat explosion and fire at Florida marina California wharf partially collapses; 3 rescued from water Nordstrom family to take chain private in $6.25 billion deal A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. —The Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2024

The entire municipal wharf will remain closed until further notice, local officials said. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hwearf embankment, wharf; akin to Old English hweorfan to turn, Old High German hwerban, Greek karpos wrist

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wharf

noun

ˈhwȯrf 

ˈwȯrf

plural wharves ˈhwȯrvz 

ˈwȯrvz

also wharfs

: a structure built on the shore at which ships can load and unload