A wharf is a platform by a river or the sea where ships can be tied up.
Synonyms: dock, pier, berth, quay More Synonyms of wharf
wharf in British English
(wɔːf)
nounWord forms: pluralwharves (wɔːvz) or wharfs
1.
a platform of timber, stone, concrete, etc, built parallel to the waterfront at a harbour or navigable river for the docking, loading, and unloading of ships
2. the wharves
3. an obsolete word for shore1
verb(transitive)
4.
to moor or dock at a wharf
5.
to provide or equip with a wharf or wharves
6.
to store or unload on a wharf
Word origin
Old English hwearf heap; related to Old Saxon hwarf, Old High German hwarb a turn, Old Norse hvarf circle
wharf in American English
(hwɔrf; wɔrf)
nounWord forms: pluralwharves or wharfs
1.
a structure of wood or stone, sometimes roofed over, built at the shore of a harbor, river, etc. for ships to lie alongside, as during loading or unloading; pier; dock
2. Obsolete
a bank at the water's edge; shore
verb transitive
3.
to bring to a wharf; moor at a wharf
4.
to unload or store on a wharf
5.
to furnish with a wharf or wharves
Word origin
ME < OE hwerf, a dam or bank to keep out water, lit., a turning < base of hweorfan, to turn < IE base *kwerp-, to turn > Gr karpos, wrist
Examples of 'wharf' in a sentence
wharf
She did not notice him until the bows of the punt bumped into the wharf beneath her.
Philip Marsden THE MAIN CAGES (2002)
He suddenly understood that no matter what he had thought standing on the wharf, he very much wanted to stay alive.
Val McDermid THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
He said something to the helmsman, and the boat veered towards a narrow wharf where a couple of launches were moored.
Val McDermid THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
Outside on the wharf, the cyclists had started their bikes.
Dhondy, Farrukh JANAKY AND THE GIANT (2002)
In other languages
wharf
British English: wharf NOUN
A wharf is a platform by a river or the sea where ships can be tied up.
American English: wharf
Brazilian Portuguese: cais
Chinese: 码头
European Spanish: muelle
French: quai
German: Kai
Italian: banchina
Japanese: 波止場
Korean: 부두
European Portuguese: cais
Latin American Spanish: muelle
Chinese translation of 'wharf'
wharf
(wɔːf)
Word forms:plwharves (wɔːvz)
n(c)
码(碼)头(頭) (mǎtóu) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
a platform along the side of a waterfront for docking, loading, and unloading ships
There were three teenagers fishing from the wharf.
Synonyms
dock
He brought his boat right into the dock at Southampton.
pier
The lifeboats were moored at the pier.
berth
A ship has applied to leave its berth.
quay
Jack and Stephen were waiting for them on the quay.
jetty
Schooners are moored off wooden jetties.
landing stage
Additional synonyms
in the sense of berth
Definition
a place assigned to a ship at a mooring
A ship has applied to leave its berth.
Synonyms
anchorage,
haven,
slip,
port,
harbour,
dock,
pier,
wharf,
quay
in the sense of jetty
Definition
a structure built from a shore out into the water to protect a harbour
Schooners are moored off wooden jetties.
Synonyms
pier,
dock,
wharf,
mole,
quay,
breakwater,
groyne
in the sense of pier
Definition
a structure with a deck that is built out over water and used as a landing place or promenade
The lifeboats were moored at the pier.
Synonyms
jetty,
wharf,
quay,
promenade,
landing place
Nearby words of
wharf
whacking
whale
wham
wharf
what makes someone tick
what's more
whatsit
Synonyms of 'wharf'
wharf
Explore 'wharf' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of quay
Definition
a wharf built parallel to the shoreline
Jack and Stephen were waiting for them on the quay.