Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fence-like barrier built across a river or stream to trap fish: A structure, often made of stakes and interwoven twigs (wattle), placed in a watercourse to catch fish.
   • A low dam built across a river to control water flow: A small barrier constructed to raise the water level for purposes like irrigation, to divert water, or to measure flow rate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old weir across the stream was used by fishermen for generations.
  • They built a weir to divert water to the mill.
  • The water level upstream of the weir is significantly higher.

Advanced Usage

• "To fish a weir": To use a weir structure for the purpose of catching fish.
  • The traditional method was to fish a weir during the salmon run.
• "Measuring weir": A specific type of weir designed with a notch to calculate the rate of water flow.
  • The engineers installed a V-notch measuring weir in the channel.

Variants and Related Words

• Weirwood (n): A type of tree; this is a distinct compound word and not a variant of "weir."
• Weir basket (n): A basket used in conjunction with a fish weir.

Synonyms

• Fish trap: A device for catching fish.
• Low dam: A small barrier across a watercourse.
• Barrage: A broader term for an artificial obstruction in a watercourse.

Related Phrases

• Over the weir: An informal phrase sometimes used to describe something that has passed a point of no return, akin to "over the dam."
  • There's no use worrying now; that decision is over the weir.

Related Idioms

• "Head over the weir": To be in a situation of rushing forward uncontrollably, often into trouble. (Note: This is a less common, localized idiom derived from the imagery of water going over a weir.)
  • Once he started arguing, he went head over the weir and couldn't stop.

Noun

1. a fence or wattle built across a stream to catch or retain fish
2. a low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow