great wall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Historical, Geographical.
Quick answer
What does “great wall” mean?
A large, long defensive wall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, long defensive wall.
Primarily refers to the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient fortification built across China's northern border. Figuratively, can signify any substantial barrier or demarcation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term identically for the Chinese landmark.
Connotations
Evokes history, grandeur, human achievement, and tourism in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects due to its status as a global landmark.
Grammar
How to Use “great wall” in a Sentence
[The] Great Wall [of China]a great wall [of/against something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great wall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as a standard adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as a standard adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The company built a great wall of patents around its technology.'
Academic
Historical/Archaeological studies of Chinese history and architecture.
Everyday
Discussions of travel, world wonders, and history documentaries.
Technical
Tourism management, conservation engineering, historical preservation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great wall”
- Writing it in lowercase when referring to the Chinese landmark (*We visited the great wall).
- Omitting 'of China' when the context is unclear.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to the Chinese landmark, 'Great Wall' should be capitalised as it is a proper noun. In a generic sense ('a great wall of noise'), it is not.
Yes, it is commonly used to describe a significant, seemingly impassable barrier (e.g., 'a great wall of bureaucracy').
It is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈwɔːl/ in both British and American English.
No, the preposition 'of' is required. The correct form is 'the Great Wall of China'.
A large, long defensive wall.
Great wall is usually formal, historical, geographical. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Like trying to] scale the Great Wall (an insurmountable task)”
- “A great wall of silence (a collective refusal to speak)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GREAT in size, WALL for protection = The GREAT WALL of China.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARRIER/SEPARATION (e.g., 'a great wall of misunderstanding').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Great Wall' most commonly refer to?