Dike — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdīk/

Meaning & Definition of Dike

Dike (noun)

  1. an artificial watercourse, ditch
  2. a bank usually of earth constructed to control or confine water, levee
  3. a barrier preventing passage especially of something undesirable
  4. lesbian

Dike (verb)

  1. to surround or protect with a dike
  2. to drain by a dike

Dike (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a bank of earth constructed to control water

    "an elaborate system of dikes built to protect the lowlands from the relentless onslaught of the sea"

    similar: dam, embankment, head, levee
    related: breakwater, jetty, seawall, breastwork, bulwark, earthwork, rampart, canal, channel, ditch, gutter, trough, lock, barricade, barrier, block, floodgate, sluice, barrage, milldam, stank (British), weir

  2. a long narrow channel dug in the earth

    "water flowed along the dike to the small pond"

    similar: ditch, fosse, gutter, sheugh (chiefly Scottish), trench, trough
    related: acequia (Southwest), culvert, drain, draw, gully, ravine, drill, furrow, ha-ha, moat, stank (British dialect), sunk fence, kennel

Dike (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in fence, gate

    similar: fence, gate, hedge, curtain (off), screen (off), bolt, lock, bar, barricade, block (off), blockade, close (off), guard, wall (off), obstruct
    opposite: open, unbar, reopen, unblock, unbolt

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dike

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dike:

Chiefly Scottish: sheugh
dam, embankment, head, levee, ditch, fosse, gutter, trench, trough, fence, gate, hedge, curtain (off), screen (off), bolt, lock, bar, barricade, block (off), blockade, close (off), guard, wall (off), obstruct

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dike

Words with the opposite meaning of Dike:

open, unbar, reopen, unblock, unbolt

Related Words for Dike

breakwater, jetty, seawall, breastwork, bulwark, earthwork, rampart, canal, channel, barrier, block, floodgate, sluice, barrage, milldam, stank, weir, acequia, culvert, drain, draw, gully, ravine, drill, furrow, ha-ha, moat, sunk fence, kennel

Word Forms of Dike

Inflections: diked, diking

Derived words: diker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dike

Middle English, probably from Old Norse dīk ditch and Middle Low German dīk dam; akin to Old English dīc ditch ditch

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Dike

What does "Dike" mean?

"Dike" means an artificial watercourse, ditch. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an artificial watercourse, ditch. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dike"?

Other words for "Dike" include dam, embankment, head, levee, ditch, fosse, gutter and sheugh. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dike" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dike"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dike". Common alternatives include dam, embankment, head, levee, ditch, fosse, gutter, sheugh, trench and trough.

What is the opposite of "Dike"?

Antonyms of "Dike" include open, unbar, reopen, unblock and unbolt.

How do you use "Dike" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dike" in a sentence: "an elaborate system of dikes built to protect the lowlands from the relentless onslaught of the sea"; "water flowed along the dike to the small pond".

Is "Dike" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dike" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dike"?

"Dike" is pronounced /ˈdīk/.

What is the origin of the word "Dike"?

"Dike" comes from Middle English, probably from Old Norse dīk ditch and Middle Low German dīk dam; akin to Old English dīc ditch ditch. First known use: 13th century.