dike
/daɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /daɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdīk/ (ame, mw)
dike — noun
- dikesingular
- dikesplural
1. a raised wall or bank, often made of earth, built to keep water from flooding an
a raised wall or bank, often made of earth, built to keep water from flooding an area.
Workers raised the dike before winter storms reached the fishing town.
raise the dike before storms
After the river burst its banks, crews repaired the dike all night.
repair the dike after flooding
The old dike protects apple farms from seawater during high tides.
Families watched sand trucks strengthen the dike beside the harbor road.
- levee
common in American English for a river barrier
- embankment
broader term for a raised bank, not only against water
- sea wall
usually a harder structure built directly against the sea
- breach
an opening where the barrier has broken
文法句型
build a dike along + water
a dike protects + land/town
用法筆記
Often used for a man-made barrier that stands between water and low land. Distinguish from sense 2, which is the channel that carries water away.
常見錯誤
2. a narrow channel cut through land so water can drain away from it.
a narrow channel cut through land so water can drain away from it.
Rainwater ran through the dike and emptied into the wide canal.
water ran through the dike
The farmer dug a dike to dry the muddy corner of the field.
dig a dike to dry land
Leaves blocked the dike, so water spread across the footpath.
A narrow dike carries spring water away from the greenhouse beds.
- ditch
broader everyday word for a narrow channel in the ground
- drain
often used when the channel is part of a drainage system
- watercourse
more formal and can also refer to natural channels
- dam
holds water back instead of carrying it away
文法句型
water flows through a dike
dig a dike across + field
用法筆記
This sense names the water channel itself. Unlike sense 1, it removes water from the land instead of blocking water from coming in.
常見錯誤
3. an insulting word used for a lesbian.
an insulting word used for a lesbian.
The coach was fired after players heard him use dike as an insult.
use dike as an insult
Mina reported the comment because a stranger called her a dike online.
call someone a dike
The poster explains why dike is offensive when aimed at lesbians.
Teachers stopped the boy after he shouted dike at the bus stop.
- slur
general word for an insulting expression
文法句型
use dike as a slur
call + someone + a dike
用法筆記
This word is highly offensive and should not be used except when explaining or reporting abusive language.
常見錯誤
dike — verb
- dikepresent simple I / you / we / they
- dikes3rd person singular
- diking-ing form
- dikedpast simple
1. to protect an area from water by building a dike around it.
to protect an area from water by building a dike around it.
Engineers plan to dike the marsh before the spring floods return.
dike + place before floods
The province diked the shoreline to protect nearby rice fields.
diked the shoreline to protect land
Workers diked the low island against waves from the winter sea.
A new project will dike the harbor edge against water from summer storms.
- flood
allows water to spread over the area instead of protecting it
文法句型
dike + land/town + against/from + water
用法筆記
The object is usually land, a shore, or a settlement that needs protection from flooding. This sense focuses on putting a barrier in place, not on draining water away.
常見錯誤
2. to remove water from land by cutting dikes or drainage channels through it.
to remove water from land by cutting dikes or drainage channels through it.
Farmhands diked the pasture so the cattle could return by Friday.
diked the pasture to drain it
The crew diked the swampy lot before laying pipes for the warehouse.
diked the lot before building
After the storm, Rosa diked the garden beds to clear standing water.
Older maps show how settlers diked the wet ground for planting.
- waterlog
leave land soaked instead of drying it
文法句型
dike + land/field + to drain it
用法筆記
Used for land made drier by cutting channels through it. Unlike sense 1, the purpose is drainage rather than building a surrounding barrier.