Causeway

/ˈkɔːzˌweɪ/

nounIntermediate📊CommonPlace
1 meaning1 question

Definitions

1

A raised road or path, especially one built across marshy ground or water.

/ˈkɔːzˌweɪ/

nounneutralIntermediate
Place

A raised road or path, typically across low-lying ground or water.

The causeway was flooded after the storm.

💡 Simply: It's like a road built up high, often over water or swampy land.

👶 For kids: A special road built up high so you can go over water or squishy land.

More Examples

2

We drove across the causeway to reach the island.

How It's Used

Civil Engineering

"The causeway provided access to the island during high tide."

Historical

"The ancient Roman causeway was remarkably well-preserved."

From Middle English *causey, from Old French *chaussee, from *chacier "to pave". Originally referring to a raised paved road, the meaning broadened to include any raised roadway.

Historically, causeways were crucial for military and trade routes, particularly in areas with challenging terrain.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'cause'way, a way built to overcome a challenge (like marshland).

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to pave"

build a causewaycross a causewayancient causeway

Common misspellings

causewayycauswaycausewey

Usage

10%Spoken
90%Written