hoover dam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “hoover dam” mean?
A large concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River, located on the border between the U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River, located on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona.
A major engineering landmark and hydroelectric power station built during the Great Depression; often referenced as a symbol of large-scale infrastructure, American industrial achievement, or monumental construction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Hoover' is primarily associated with the vacuum cleaner brand. In American English, 'Hoover Dam' is a well-known geographical landmark.
Connotations
UK: May initially evoke the vacuum brand. US: Evokes images of the dam, desert, engineering, and 1930s construction.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English due to its location and cultural significance in the U.S.
Grammar
How to Use “hoover dam” in a Sentence
[visit/see/tour] the Hoover DamHoover Dam [provides/generates] powerHoover Dam is located [on/in]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hoover dam” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- Hoover Dam engineering
- a Hoover Dam tour guide
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of energy supply, infrastructure investment, or tourism.
Academic
Used in history, engineering, geography, and environmental studies.
Everyday
Used in travel planning and general knowledge discussions.
Technical
Used in civil engineering, hydrology, and power generation contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hoover dam”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hoover dam”
- Writing 'Hoover damn'.
- Using 'the' unnecessarily before 'Hoover Dam' when it's the subject (e.g., 'The Hoover Dam is tall' is correct, but 'We visited the Hoover Dam' is also correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its official name is Hoover Dam. 'Boulder Dam' was a name used during its planning and early construction, but it was officially named Hoover Dam in 1947.
Yes, guided tours are available that take visitors inside the dam's power plant and inspection tunnels.
It was built for multiple purposes: flood control, irrigation water storage, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply for cities.
No, it was the largest dam in the world at the time of its completion in 1936, but many larger dams have been built since then in terms of height, volume, and reservoir capacity.
A large concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River, located on the border between the U.
Hoover dam is usually formal, technical, historical in register.
Hoover dam: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhuːvə dæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhuvɚ dæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOOver Dam: Huge Overlooked Object, Very Enormous, Really - Diverts Arizona's/Mexico's water.
Conceptual Metaphor
A monument to human will over nature; a plug in the river.
Practice
Quiz
What was the original name for the Hoover Dam during its planning and early construction?