breakwater crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the "breakwater crossword clue," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find comprehensive answers with explanations, organized by letter count, to help you complete your puzzle efficiently.
Solutions for "breakwater crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
MOLE: A large solid pier or breakwater, often built of stone, forming a barrier to protect a harbor.
5 Letters
JETTY: A long, narrow structure projecting from the shore into the sea or a lake, often built as a breakwater to protect a harbor or coastline.
6 Letters
GROYNE: A rigid hydraulic structure built from an ocean shore that interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment, often acting as a small breakwater.
7 Letters
SEAWALL: A form of coastal defense structure constructed where the sea directly impacts the coastline, designed to prevent coastal erosion and flooding.
More About "breakwater crossword clue"
A breakwater is an essential structure in coastal engineering, serving primarily to protect a stretch of coast, a harbor, or an anchorage from the destructive force of waves. These structures dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shore, creating calmer waters that are safe for shipping, recreational activities, and protecting coastal infrastructure from erosion.
Breakwaters come in various forms, including rubblemound (piles of rock), concrete caissons, or even floating structures. Their design depends on factors like water depth, wave conditions, and the specific protective function required. Historically, breakwaters have been crucial for the development of major ports worldwide, allowing safe loading and unloading of cargo and providing shelter for vessels during storms.
When "breakwater" appears in a crossword, the clue often points to a structure with a similar protective function or a specific type of breakwater. The length of the answer then becomes the key differentiator between various possibilities, such as a jetty, mole, groyne, or seawall.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Contextual Clues: Pay close attention to the specific wording of the clue. Does it hint at the material, the exact function, or a common synonym? For "breakwater," words related to protection, barriers, or harbors are good indicators.
- Letter Count is Key: Always check the number of letters required for the answer. This is your most powerful tool for narrowing down options. If you're thinking of 'JETTY' (5 letters) but the space is for 4 letters, you know it's incorrect.
- Cross-Reference with Intersecting Words: Use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. This can confirm your suspicions or help you eliminate unlikely answers. Every confirmed letter is a step closer to solving the puzzle.
- Think Synonyms and Related Concepts: If a direct answer doesn't come to mind, brainstorm synonyms or concepts closely related to the clue. For "breakwater," consider anything that provides shelter from the sea.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the primary purpose of a breakwater?
The primary purpose of a breakwater is to protect a harbor, anchorage, or coastline from the full force of ocean waves. By absorbing and deflecting wave energy, they create calmer waters essential for navigation, shipping, and preventing coastal erosion.
Are breakwaters always visible above water?
No, not all breakwaters are visible above water. While many traditional breakwaters (like moles and jetties) extend above the water surface, there are also submerged or floating breakwaters designed to reduce wave energy without being fully exposed. These can be particularly useful for aesthetic reasons or in certain ecological contexts.
How does the letter count help me solve a crossword clue like 'breakwater'?
The letter count is crucial because it significantly narrows down the possible answers. For a clue like 'breakwater', knowing whether you need a 4-letter word (like MOLE) or a 7-letter word (like SEAWALL) immediately guides your thinking and helps you eliminate incorrect possibilities, making the puzzle much easier to solve.