jetty

1 of 3

noun

jet·​ty ˈje-tē How to pronounce jetty (audio)
plural jetties
1
a
: a structure extended into a sea, lake, or river to influence the current or tide or to protect a harbor
b
: a protecting frame of a pier
2
: a landing wharf

jetty

2 of 3

verb

jettied; jettying

jetty

3 of 3

adjective

: deep black in color : jet-black

Examples of jetty in a Sentence

Noun didn't see any passengers waiting for the ferry, so the captain sailed past the jetty
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.
Noun
The teenager, later identified as Victor Enrique Castaneda Jr., was reported missing around 6 p.m. last Saturday near a jetty close to South Pointe Drive in Miami Beach. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 Nov. 2024 In 1970, a $1 million jetty was specially built on this newly reclaimed ground to receive US military scrap and surplus equipment from the Vietnam War. Zining Mok, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
Oregon beaches are now open daily from the Columbia River north jetty to the Siuslaw River. oregonlive, 29 Feb. 2020 The two were walking on the Del Mar jetty around 9:25 a.m. when a large wave broke over the jetty and sent both women tumbling down the rocks and into the water, said Oceanside lifeguard Sgt. Karen Kucher, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Oct. 2017
Adjective
While professionals built much of the main structure, Aleksi took a three-and-a-half-month sabbatical to create the jetty, low-impact walkways, and many sea-view seating areas, as well as using his self taught carpentry skills on the cozy interiors, with picture windows at either end. Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2023 Through mid-September, city officials had issued 29 such citations near the unofficial river jetty dog beach — putting them on pace to write about 40 by the end of the year. Hillary Davis, Daily Pilot, 12 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for jetty 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English getee, jette, from Anglo-French geté, getee, from past participle of geter, jeter to throw — more at jet

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1586, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near jetty

Cite this Entry

“Jetty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jetty. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

jetty

noun
jet·​ty
ˈjet-ē
plural jetties
1
: a pier built out into the water to influence the current or protect a harbor
2
: a landing wharf

More from Merriam-Webster on jetty

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!