aswan high dam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “aswan high dam” mean?
A major embankment dam built across the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, completed in 1970 to control flooding, provide irrigation water, and generate hydroelectric power.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major embankment dam built across the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, completed in 1970 to control flooding, provide irrigation water, and generate hydroelectric power.
A landmark infrastructure project of the 20th century, often cited in discussions of modern engineering, geopolitical influence in the Cold War era, and the environmental and archaeological consequences of large-scale dam construction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'hydroelectric power' vs. 'hydroelectric power').
Connotations
In UK contexts, may be more frequently associated with post-colonial history and the Suez Crisis. In US contexts, may be more frequently cited in engineering and environmental impact studies.
Frequency
Similar frequency in relevant academic/technical contexts. Slightly higher in UK media due to historical ties.
Grammar
How to Use “aswan high dam” in a Sentence
The Aswan High Dam VERB (e.g., provides, regulates, created)VERB the Aswan High Dam (e.g., construct, visit, study)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aswan high dam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The project aimed to dam the Nile at Aswan.
- The river was dammed to create the reservoir.
American English
- They decided to dam the Nile at Aswan.
- Damming the river had significant consequences.
adjective
British English
- The Aswan dam project was monumental.
- Post-Aswan dam Egypt saw agricultural changes.
American English
- The Aswan dam project was huge.
- Post-Aswan dam Egypt changed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of international development, large-scale project financing, or hydropower.
Academic
Common in engineering, hydrology, Middle Eastern studies, archaeology, and environmental science as a key case study.
Everyday
Low frequency. Might appear in documentaries, travel guides, or news reports about Egypt.
Technical
High frequency in civil engineering, water resource management, and energy production literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aswan high dam”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aswan high dam”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aswan high dam”
- Incorrect: 'Aswan Dam' (ambiguous). Correct: 'Aswan High Dam' for specificity.
- Incorrect: 'Aswan High Dam was built in America.' Correct: '...built in Egypt with Soviet assistance.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was officially completed in 1970.
The reservoir is called Lake Nasser, named after the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
It required the relocation of over 100,000 people, flooded numerous archaeological sites, and significantly altered the Nile's ecosystem and sediment flow.
After initial Western withdrawal of funding, the Soviet Union provided crucial financial and technical assistance for the project.
A major embankment dam built across the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, completed in 1970 to control flooding, provide irrigation water, and generate hydroelectric power.
Aswan high dam is usually formal, academic, technical, journalistic in register.
Aswan high dam: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæs.wæn ˈhaɪ ˈdæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːs.wɑːn ˈhaɪ ˈdæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Aswan HIGH Dam – it's a HIGHly important dam on the Nile in Aswan, Egypt.
Conceptual Metaphor
A monument to human control over nature; a double-edged sword (providing benefits but causing new problems).
Practice
Quiz
What was a major archaeological consequence of building the Aswan High Dam?