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beaufort: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈbəʊfət/US/ˈboʊfərt/

Technical/Geographic

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Quick answer

What does “beaufort” mean?

A surname, now primarily known for its use in geographic names (sea, scale) and a type of cheese.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A surname, now primarily known for its use in geographic names (sea, scale) and a type of cheese.

1. (Beaufort Sea) A marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean north of Canada and Alaska. 2. (Beaufort scale) A scale for measuring wind force, from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). 3. (Beaufort cheese) A hard, crumbly, slightly salty cheese from England.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minimal. 'Beaufort scale' is used identically. 'Beaufort cheese' is better known in the UK. The Beaufort Sea is primarily referenced in Canadian and Alaskan/American contexts.

Connotations

In the UK, 'Beaufort' may first evoke the cheese or historic nobility (Duke of Beaufort). In the US/Canada, it more likely evokes the sea or the wind scale.

Frequency

Low frequency in both, but higher in specific domains (meteorology, geography, gourmet food).

Grammar

How to Use “beaufort” in a Sentence

[Number] on the Beaufort scaleforce [Number]cheese from Beaufort

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Beaufort scaleBeaufort SeaBeaufort cheeseforce (on the) Beaufort scale
medium
north of the Beaufort Seaa mature Beaufortaccording to the Beaufort scale
weak
Beaufort windBeaufort regionnamed Beaufort

Examples

Examples of “beaufort” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The Beaufort-scale reading was crucial for the shipping forecast.
  • She prefers a Beaufort-style cheese.

American English

  • The Beaufort-scale measurement indicated a strong gale.
  • This cheddar is similar to a Beaufort cheese.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in shipping, logistics, or weather forecasting reports ('gales of force 8 on the Beaufort scale').

Academic

Used in meteorology, oceanography, geography, and climatology papers.

Everyday

Very rare. Might appear in weather forecasts or food discussions.

Technical

Standard term in meteorology for wind measurement and in geography for the specific sea.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “beaufort”

Neutral

wind scaleArctic seahard cheese

Weak

wind force indexcheddar (for cheese)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “beaufort”

calm (for scale 0)landlocked sea

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “beaufort”

  • Mispronouncing as /ˈbjuːfɔːrt/.
  • Using 'Beaufort' as a common noun for wind instead of 'Beaufort scale'.
  • Confusing Beaufort Sea with the Bering Sea.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. 'Beaufort Scale' is pronounced /ˈbəʊfət/ (BOH-fət) in RP and /ˈboʊfərt/ (BOH-fərt) in GenAm. The city in South Carolina is pronounced /ˈbjuːfərt/ (BEW-fərt).

No. 'Beaufort' alone is not a synonym for wind. You must use the full term 'Beaufort scale' or phrase like 'force on the Beaufort scale'.

12, which denotes hurricane-force winds with speeds of 73 mph (118 km/h) or more.

Yes. 'Beaufort' is a French PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese from the Alps. The English 'Beaufort' is a style but not protected in the same way.

A surname, now primarily known for its use in geographic names (sea, scale) and a type of cheese.

Beaufort is usually technical/geographic in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

'BEAUfort' is the scale for wind, think of a BEAU (a handsome gentleman) trying to hold his FORT against the wind.

Conceptual Metaphor

SCALE IS A MEASUREMENT TOOL (The Beaufort scale maps wind force onto a comprehensible numbered system).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The meteorologist estimated the storm's winds at force 11 on the .
Multiple Choice

What is the Beaufort scale used to measure?