cofferdam

noun

cof·​fer·​dam ˈkȯ-fər-ˌdam How to pronounce cofferdam (audio)
ˈkä-
1
: a watertight enclosure from which water is pumped to expose the bottom of a body of water and permit construction (as of a pier)
2
: a watertight structure for making repairs below the waterline of a ship

Examples of cofferdam 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.
Nowadays, a project like this would use a cofferdam: a temporary, watertight enclosure that can be pumped dry to provide an open and safe site for construction. Ari Perez, The Conversation, 10 June 2024 In order to get that block in place, Morrison said, crews will build a temporary cofferdam to isolate and protect the rest of the river from the sections being reinforced. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2024 Chuck Lee, a supervisor in the dam safety unit, said the agency was issuing an emergency contract for the construction of a cofferdam — essentially a dam in front of the dam. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2024 With a cofferdam in place, the area in front of the dam can be drained and engineers can make a more detailed assessment of the damage and threat. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2024 That included the construction of a huge temporary cofferdam to divert the thundering water from the building site. Laura Randall, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2022 The $11 million project began in August 2016 with the construction of a cofferdam to surround the battleship which allowed crews to drain the river water and have access to the ship’s brittle hull. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 21 July 2021 If the plan goes through, all the water from the American side of the falls will temporarily be diverted to Horseshoe Falls in Canada using a cofferdam. Popular Mechanics, 25 Jan. 2016 Activities for all ages range from hands-on exploration of concepts to in-depth mini-classes about building cofferdams, measuring salinity and shipbuilding. Houston Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cofferdam was in 1736

Dictionary Entries Near cofferdam

Cite this Entry

“Cofferdam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cofferdam. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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