First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wall
noun \ˈwȯl\
: a structure of brick, stone, etc., that surrounds an area or separates one area from another
: the structure that forms the side of a room or building
: the outer layer of something that is hollow (such as a part of the body or of a plant)
Full Definition of WALL
1
a : a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense —often used in plural b : a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c : a structure that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding earth)
2
: one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof
3
: the side of a footpath next to buildings
4
: an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin <the surrounded troops had their backs against the wall>
5
: a material layer enclosing space <the wall of a container> <heart walls>
6
: something resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect); especially : something that acts as a barrier or defense <a wall of reserve> <tariff wall>
— wall–like \ˈwȯl-ˌlīk\ adjective
— off the wall
slang : crazy <the plan was off the wall>
— up the wall
slang : into a state of intense agitation, annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the wall>
See wall defined for English-language learners
See wall defined for kids
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Origin of WALL
Middle English, from Old English weall; akin to Middle High German wall; both from Latin vallum rampart, from vallus stake, palisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff — more at wale
Other Civil Engineering Terms
2wall
verb
Definition of WALL
transitive verb
1
a : to provide, cover with, or surround with or as if with a wall <wall in the garden> b : to separate by or as if by a wall <walled off half the house>
2
a : immure <walled the monster up within the tomb — E. A. Poe> b : to close (an opening) with or as if with a wall
First Known Use of WALL
13th century
3wall
verb
Definition of WALL
intransitive verb
of the eyes : to roll in a dramatic manner
transitive verb
: to roll (one's eyes) in a dramatic manner
Origin of WALL
Middle English (Scots) wawlen, probably from Middle English wawil- (in wawil-eghed walleyed)
First Known Use: 15th century
WALL Defined for Kids
1wall
noun \ˈwȯl\
Definition of WALL for Kids
1
: one of the sides of a room or building
2
: a solid structure (as of stone) built to enclose or shut off a space <The property is surrounded by a brick wall.>
3
: something that separates one thing from another <a wall of mountains>
4
: a layer of material enclosing space <the heart wall> <the wall of a pipe>
— walled \ˈwȯld\ adjective
2wall
verb
walledwall·ing
Definition of WALL for Kids
: to build or have a wall in or around
Medical Dictionary
wall
noun \ˈwȯl\
Medical Definition of WALL
: a structural layer surrounding a cavity, hollow organ, or mass of material <molecules small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall—Josie Glausiusz> <muscles of the abdominal wall>
—walled \ˈwȯld\ adjective
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