noun
dykes
Dykes (noun) means plural of dyke: earthen or stone banks built to prevent flooding. Example: “The coastal town is protected by a network of dykes.”
noun
1
Plural of dyke: earthen or stone banks built to prevent flooding.
"The coastal town is protected by a network of dykes."
2
Diagonal cutting pliers used for cutting wire.
"For cutting lead came, you’ll need ‘lead came dykes,’ which are simple nippers designed to avoid crushing the lead."
— Neile Cooper, Kicking Glass: A Creative Guide to Stained Glass Craft (2022)
"He reached for the dykes to snip the copper wire cleanly."
How to use dykes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one dyke (flood barrier), or a slang name for diagonal wire-cutting pliers.
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Word forms
Etymology
This is thought to be a blend of diagonal and cut, shaped by the influence of dyke and dike.
Rhymes for dykes
See all rhymes for dykes →Frequently asked questions
What does “dykes” mean?
The word “dykes” means plural of dyke: earthen or stone banks built to prevent flooding. In plain terms, more than one dyke (flood barrier), or a slang name for diagonal wire-cutting pliers.
How do you use “dykes” in a sentence?
Here is “dykes” used in a sentence: “The coastal town is protected by a network of dykes.”
What part of speech is “dykes”?
“Dykes” is a noun.
How many meanings does “dykes” have?
“Dykes” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: plural of dyke: earthen or stone banks built to prevent flooding.
