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noun A1 Beginner Very common

wall

wawl
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Wall (noun) means a solid upright structure that encloses, divides, or protects an area. Example: “A low stone wall runs around the edge of the farmer's field.”

noun
1
A solid upright structure that encloses, divides, or protects an area.
"A low stone wall runs around the edge of the farmer's field."
"They painted the living room wall a pale blue."
"The old city wall still stands after centuries."
2
Something that acts as a barrier or obstacle.
"A wall of silence met the reporters whenever they asked about the closure."
"There seemed to be a wall between them after the argument."
"He hit a wall in his research and couldn't find any more sources."
3
A defensive line of players positioned between a free-kick taker and the goal, in football.
"Three players stood in the wall, turning away as the free kick came in."
"The striker curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner."
"The keeper organized the wall before the free kick."
verb
1
To enclose or seal something with a wall.
"The builders walled up the broken window to keep the cold out."
"They walled in the garden to give the children some privacy."
"They walled off the old fireplace during renovations."

How to use wall

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA solid barrier, whether physical (a building wall) or figurative (an obstacle).

Common pairings
hit a wall wall off climb the walls off the wall
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Word forms

Plural
walls
Third person singular
walls
Past tense
walled
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A low stone _____ runs around the edge of the farmer's field.

Etymology

From Old English weall, borrowed from Latin vallum, meaning a rampart or fortification.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for wall

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Frequently asked questions

What does “wall” mean?
The word “wall” means a solid upright structure that encloses, divides, or protects an area. In plain terms, a solid barrier, whether physical (a building wall) or figurative (an obstacle).
How do you pronounce “wall”?
“Wall” is pronounced wawl (/wɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wall” in a sentence?
Here is “wall” used in a sentence: “They painted the living room wall a pale blue.”
What part of speech is “wall”?
Depending on how it is used, “wall” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wall” come from?
The word “wall” comes from Latin. From Old English weall, borrowed from Latin vallum, meaning a rampart or fortification.
Is “wall” a common word?
“Wall” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “wall” have?
“Wall” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a solid upright structure that encloses, divides, or protects an area.
What is the difference between a wall and a fence?
Both mark or divide space, but a wall is a solid, continuous structure built from materials like brick, stone, or concrete. A fence is lighter, usually made of posts with panels, wire, or railings, and often lets you see through it. Walls tend to be sturdier and more private.
What are the types of wall?
In buildings, a load-bearing wall carries weight from above, while a partition wall simply divides rooms. Outdoors, a boundary wall marks a property line and a retaining wall holds back earth or water. Exterior walls form the shell of a structure; interior walls organise the space inside.
What is the difference between a wall and a barrier?
A wall is one specific kind of barrier: a solid, upright, usually permanent structure. 'Barrier' is the broader word for anything that blocks or separates, including gates, fences, hedges, or even abstract obstacles. Every wall is a barrier, but many barriers are not walls.

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