wilson dam
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Proper Noun)Formal, Historical, Technical (Engineering/Environmental contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A specific dam, the Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River in Alabama, USA.
Proper noun referring to a historic hydroelectric dam and lock built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is often cited in discussions of American infrastructure, New Deal-era public works, and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) history.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Exclusively a proper noun. Refers to one specific structure. Meaning is not compositional ('Wilson' + 'Dam'); it is a fixed name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, this is a specific reference to an American landmark. In US English, it is a domestic geographical/proper noun. The term 'dam' itself has no usage difference.
Connotations
US: Connotes New Deal history, regional development, engineering. UK: Likely recognized only by those familiar with US geography or history.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general UK discourse. Low frequency in US discourse, outside specific regional, historical, or technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Location/Subject] is located at/near Wilson Dam.Wilson Dam [verb: provides, generates, controls] [object].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts related to energy production or water management in the Tennessee Valley.
Academic
Used in historical, engineering, environmental, and American studies papers.
Everyday
Virtually unused in everyday conversation outside the local region in Alabama.
Technical
Used in civil engineering, hydrology, and energy grid management discussions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Wilson Dam is a very big dam in America.
- You can find Wilson Dam on a map of Alabama.
- Wilson Dam was constructed in the 1920s to generate electricity and improve navigation.
- The creation of Wilson Dam was a major step in the development of the Tennessee Valley.
- As a linchpin of the Muscle Shoals project, Wilson Dam's completion catalyzed the formation of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
- The hydroelectric capacity of Wilson Dam played a crucial role in the region's economic modernization.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"President Wilson's DAM project helped power the nation's resolve." (Aiding recall of the name's origin and purpose.)
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAM IS A CORNERSTONE (of regional development, of the TVA system).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'Плотина Уилсона' in isolation without context, as it is a specific entity. In specialized texts, the proper name 'Уилсон-Дэм' or 'дамба Уилсона' may be used.
- Do not confuse with the common noun 'dam' (плотина). This is exclusively a proper name.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Wilson's Dam' (possessive) instead of the fixed name 'Wilson Dam'.
- Treating it as a common noun phrase (e.g., 'a wilson dam').
- Confusing it with other dams named Wilson (e.g., in other countries).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical significance of Wilson Dam?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is exclusively a proper noun, the name of a specific dam in Alabama, USA.
It was named after President Woodrow Wilson.
No, as a unique proper noun, it does not have a plural form. You might refer to 'dams like Wilson Dam'.
Primarily in historical texts about the New Deal, engineering case studies of hydroelectric power, or geographical descriptions of the Tennessee River.