cofferdam

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈkɒfəˌdæm/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(kô′fər dam′, kof′ər-)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
cof•fer•dam  (kô′fər dam′, kof′ər-),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Civil Engineeringa watertight enclosure placed or constructed in waterlogged soil or under water and pumped dry so that construction or repairs can proceed under normal conditions.
  2. Nautical, Naval Termsa sealed void between two bulkheads, as for insulation or as an extra barrier to the escape of liquids or vapors.
  • coffer + dam1 1730–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
cofferdam / ˈkɒfəˌdæm/
  1. a watertight structure, usually of sheet piling, that encloses an area under water, pumped dry to enable construction work to be carried out. Below a certain depth a caisson is required
  2. (on a ship) a compartment separating two bulkheads or floors, as for insulation or to serve as a barrier against the escape of gas or oil

Often shortened to: coffer
'cofferdam' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
caisson - coffer

Forum discussions with the word(s) "cofferdam" in the title:


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