sandcastle

[ sand-kas-uhl, -kah-suhl ]

noun

1. a small castlelike structure made of wet sand, as by children at a beach.
2. a plan or idea with little substance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sandcastle¹

First recorded in 1850–55; sand + castle

Example Sentences

Swimming, sailing, even just building a sandcastle - the ocean benefits our physical and mental wellbeing.

From Salon

Either Biden’s decision to leave the race will save a deeply flawed democracy still in need of a reset, or the whole thing collapses in on itself like a sandcastle when it gets wet.

From Slate

His father’s family is Armenian, and in his novel “The Sandcastle Girls” and as an activist, the author has addressed the continuing slaughter of Armenians by Turkish Muslims.

From Los Angeles Times

TORRES: I equate it to building a sandcastle where you don’t really start out with a blueprint.

From Seattle Times

The new Apple TV+ special recreates that first meeting, with Franklin returning Charlie Brown’s errant beach ball and then the two building a sandcastle together.

From Seattle Times