spillway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Specialized
Quick answer
What does “spillway” mean?
A channel or passage constructed to allow excess water from a dam or reservoir to flow safely away without causing structural damage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A channel or passage constructed to allow excess water from a dam or reservoir to flow safely away without causing structural damage.
Any designated overflow route for liquid, sometimes used metaphorically to describe an outlet for pressure, emotion, or excess of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is technical and used identically.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to relevant technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “spillway” in a Sentence
The spillway + VERB (handles, discharges, releases, flows)to release water + PREP (through/via/into) the spillwayconstruct/build/design a spillwayVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spillway” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The reservoir's spillway was opened to prevent overtopping during the heavy rains.
- Inspectors declared the dam's auxiliary spillway fit for service.
American English
- They're upgrading the spillway to handle a 100-year flood event.
- The water rushed down the concrete spillway with tremendous force.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like construction, utilities, or environmental consulting.
Academic
Common in engineering, environmental science, and geography papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be encountered in news reports about dam safety or flooding.
Technical
Core term in civil engineering, hydrology, and water resource management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spillway”
- Using 'spillway' to refer to any ditch or canal (it is specifically for overflow from a contained body of water).
- Misspelling as 'spill way' (it is a closed compound noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A sluice gate is a movable gate that controls flow. A spillway is the entire channel or structure designed for overflow. A spillway may have sluice gates as part of its control mechanism.
No, 'spillway' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to spill'.
It is a common word within specific technical fields (engineering, water management) but is low-frequency in general everyday English.
A canal is a man-made waterway for transportation or irrigation. A spillway is specifically for emergency or controlled overflow from a dam, lake, or levee, often used only occasionally.
A channel or passage constructed to allow excess water from a dam or reservoir to flow safely away without causing structural damage.
Spillway is usually technical / specialized in register.
Spillway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪlweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪlweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] act as a spillway for (pent-up emotions/frustration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a dam SPILLing over its limit, and the WAY it takes to do so safely is the SPILLWAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPILLWAY is a SAFETY VALVE for water pressure; thus, it can metaphorically be any designed outlet for excess pressure (emotional, social, economic).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a spillway?