cutwater
/ˈkʌtˌwɔtər/
noun
- The forward edge of a ship's bow that cuts through the water.
- The old wooden vessel had a sharp cutwater designed for speed.
- The ship's cutwater was reinforced with steel to break through ice.
- As the boat moved forward, the cutwater parted the waves smoothly.
- The wedge-shaped front of a bridge pier that deflects water and debris.
- Engineers added a cutwater to the bridge foundation to protect it from floods.
- The stone bridge had cutwaters on its piers to reduce erosion.
- The cutwater of the pier split the river current, preventing damage.