1 forebay | Definition of forebay

forebay

noun
fore·​bay | \ ˈfȯr-ˌbā How to pronounce forebay (audio) \

Definition of forebay

: a reservoir or canal from which water is taken to run equipment (such as a waterwheel or turbine)

Examples of forebay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Water flows from the Delta through a series of gates into the shallow, 2-mile-wide forebay as a staging area for the pumps. Denis Cuff, The Mercury News, "Bay Area storm: Erosion hits key reservoir near Byron," 15 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forebay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of forebay

1770, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on forebay

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with forebay