weir
Americannoun
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a small dam in a river or stream.
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a fence, as of brush or narrow boards, or a net set in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish.
noun
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Judith. born 1954, Scottish composer: her operas include A Night at the Chinese Opera (1987), and Armida (2005)
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Peter. born 1944, Australian film director; his films include Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998), and Master and Commander (2003)
noun
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a low dam that is built across a river to raise the water level, divert the water, or control its flow
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a series of traps or enclosures placed in a stream to catch fish
Etymology
Origin of weir
before 900; Middle English were, Old English wer, derivative of root of werian to defend, dam up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At 08:56, kneeling on her SUP, Lloyd was the first to descend the fish pass in the centre of the weir and was swept quickly downriver.
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025
At 08:56, kneeling on her SUP, Lloyd slid down the fish pass in the centre of the weir and was swept quickly downriver.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
On 2 August 2022, representatives from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water visited Haverfordwest town weir with other stakeholders and commenced a risk assessment of the hazard posed to river users by the weir.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
On Tuesday, the court was shown photos of a weir the group was trying to navigate.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2025
There was a flash in the sandy lists, like a salmon jumping a weir.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
