Wall: meaning, definitions and examples

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wall

[wɔːl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

building material

A structure of stone, brick, or other materials built to enclose or divide an area, typically with a roof and walls.

Synonyms

barrier, fence, partition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wall	A wall is used to describe a solid structure that divides or encloses an area, typically made of stone or brick. It is commonly used in both indoor and outdoor settings. The house has a tall wall around its garden. They painted the living room wall a bright blue.
barrier	A barrier is often used to describe something that obstructs or prevents movement or access. It can be physical or metaphorical. The construction site had a barrier to keep people out. Language can be a barrier to communication.
partition	A partition is used to refer to a structure that divides a space into separate areas, often used indoors for dividing rooms or workspaces. It is usually not as solid or permanent as a wall. The office was divided by a glass partition. They installed a partition to create a separate dining area.
fence	A fence is usually a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors, and is made of posts connected by boards, wire, or rails. It is often used for marking boundaries and providing security. They put up a fence to keep the dogs in the yard. The wooden fence needs to be repainted.

Examples of usage

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
They are building a new wall around the garden to keep the animals out.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

defense

A defensive or protective barrier or fortification.

Synonyms

bastion, bulwark, rampart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wall	A general term for any physical or metaphorical barrier that separates or protects. A wall separates our garden from the street. He built an emotional wall to protect himself from getting hurt.
rampart	Refers specifically to a wide bank of earth, often topped by a wall, that is built to protect a place. They stood on the rampart, watching the enemy approach. The city was surrounded by high ramparts.
bulwark	Used to describe something that acts as a strong, supportive defense, both literally and metaphorically. The navy serves as a bulwark against maritime threats. The law is a bulwark of democracy.
bastion	Often used in a metaphorical sense to describe something that strongly defends or upholds particular principles or practices. The university is considered a bastion of free speech. This old fortress is a bastion of the city's history.

Examples of usage

The soldiers hid behind the wall to protect themselves from enemy fire.
The castle was surrounded by high walls to defend against invaders.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

obstacle

Something that serves to prevent the passage or progress of something.

Synonyms

hindrance, impediment, obstruction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wall	Often used to describe a physical barrier or a significant obstacle, either literal or metaphorical. There was a tall wall surrounding the garden. He felt like he hit a wall in his career.
obstruction	This word is often used to describe something that physically blocks a path or progress, and can have a negative connotation. There was an obstruction on the highway, causing traffic to back up. Their refusal to cooperate was viewed as an obstruction of justice.
hindrance	Used to describe something that makes progress difficult but is not a complete stop; can be used in a negative sense. Her constant interruptions were a hindrance to the meeting. The heavy snow was a hindrance to our travel plans.
impediment	Often used to describe a factor that makes progress difficult or slow; frequently used in formal and legal contexts, sometimes with a negative connotation. His speech impediment did not stop him from becoming an eloquent speaker. The new law is seen as an impediment to small businesses.

Examples of usage

The language barrier was a wall between them.
The lack of funding was a wall to the project's success.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'weall,' which is derived from the Latin 'vallum,' meaning 'a rampart or fortification.'
In many languages, the term for 'wall' shares a similar root, emphasizing its importance in architecture across cultures.

History

The Great Wall of China, built to protect against invasions, spans over 13,000 miles and dates back to the 7th century BC.
Medieval castles often had thick walls to withstand attacks, illustrating the evolution of wall construction for defense purposes.

Art

Many famous murals and street art installations use walls as canvases, turning urban spaces into vibrant art galleries.
The Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, became a powerful symbol of freedom and artistic expression after its fall.

Psychology

Walls can symbolize emotional barriers people build to protect themselves from pain or vulnerability.
In therapy, 'breaking down walls' often refers to overcoming personal obstacles and opening up to others.

Architecture

Walls can be made from various materials including wood, stone, and concrete, each serving different functional and aesthetic purposes.
Load-bearing walls are crucial in supporting structures, while decorative walls enhance visual appeal in homes or buildings.

Translations

Translations of the word "wall" in other languages:

🇵🇹 parede

🇮🇳 दीवार (deewaar)

🇩🇪 Wand

🇮🇩 dinding

🇺🇦 стіна

🇵🇱 ściana

🇯🇵 壁 (kabe)

🇫🇷 mur

🇪🇸 pared

🇹🇷 duvar

🇰🇷 벽 (byeok)

🇸🇦 جدار (jidar)

🇨🇿 zeď

🇸🇰 stena

🇨🇳 墙 (qiáng)

🇸🇮 stena

🇮🇸 veggur

🇰🇿 қабырға (qabyryğa)

🇬🇪 კედელი (kedeli)

🇦🇿 divar

🇲🇽 pared

Word Frequency Rank

At #925 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

...
922 certainly
923 positive
924 attempt
925 wall
926 agreed
927 functions
928 tried
...