roadstead
/'roudsted/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A roadstead is a partly sheltered area of water near the shore where ships can anchor safely. It is less protected than a harbor but provides some shelter from wind and waves.
Usage
A roadstead is a specific nautical term used to describe an open anchorage area. It is typically used in contexts related to maritime navigation, shipping, and naval operations.
Examples
- The fleet waited in the roadstead for permission to enter the port.
- Due to the storm, the captain decided to anchor in the roadstead rather than risk the harbor entrance.
- The chart indicated a safe roadstead on the leeward side of the island.
Advanced Usage
- "To lie in the roadstead": This phrase describes the state of a ship being anchored in a roadstead.
- The merchant vessel lay in the roadstead for two days awaiting a pilot.
Variants and Related Words
- Roads: An archaic or alternative term for "roadstead," though rarely used in modern English.
- The ship anchored in the roads.
Synonyms
- Anchorage: A more general term for any place suitable for ships to anchor.
- Roads: (As noted above, an archaic synonym).
Antonyms
- Harbor: A fully sheltered, often man-made, port for ships.
- Port: A commercial harbor facility for loading and unloading cargo and passengers.
Notes
The term "roadstead" is technical and primarily used in nautical contexts. It should not be confused with "road" meaning a paved path for vehicles. The "stead" part relates to "place" (as in "homestead"), so a roadstead is essentially a "place for riding at anchor."
Noun
- a partly sheltered anchorage