noun
dike
dyk
Dike (noun) means a long wall or embankment built to hold back water and prevent flooding. Example: “The village relies on an old dike to keep the river out.”
noun
1
A long wall or embankment built to hold back water and prevent flooding.
"The village relies on an old dike to keep the river out."
How to use dike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA barrier, usually of earth, built to hold back water.
Common mistake
"Dike" and "dyke" are variant spellings of the same flood-barrier word; "dyke" is more common in British English.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- dikes
- Past tense
- diked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village relies on an old _____ to keep the river out.
Etymology
This word comes from Northern Middle English dik and dike (“ditch”), which developed from Old Norse díki (“ditch”). Its form was shaped by Middle Dutch dijc (“ditch; dam”) and Middle Low German dīk (“dam”). See also ditch.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Adikia
Related words
Rhymes for dike
See all rhymes for dike →Frequently asked questions
What does “dike” mean?
The word “dike” means a long wall or embankment built to hold back water and prevent flooding. In plain terms, a barrier, usually of earth, built to hold back water.
How do you pronounce “dike”?
“Dike” is pronounced dyk (/daɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “dike” in a sentence?
Here is “dike” used in a sentence: “The village relies on an old dike to keep the river out.”
What is the opposite of “dike”?
The opposite of “dike” — its antonyms — is Adikia.
What part of speech is “dike”?
“Dike” is a noun.
