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

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 notes

In 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

dyke →

Word forms

diked past tense, diked past tense, dikes singular, dikes singular

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Fill the gap

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The village relies on an old _____ to keep the river out.

Etymology

From Northern Middle English dik and dike (“ditch”), from Old Norse díki (“ditch”). Influenced by Middle Dutch dijc (“ditch; dam”) and Middle Low German dīk (“dam”). See also ditch.

Origin: Old Norse

Synonyms

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dam

Antonyms

Adikia

Related words

mother bitch cow dam sluice

Rhymes for dike

Ike bike mike Nike like hike pike alike spike strike unlike godlike

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.

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