What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dam
Example
The Hoover Dam is a famous example of a large-scale dam. [dam: noun]
Example
The engineers decided to dam the river to prevent flooding in the area. [dam: verb]
barrage
Example
The barrage across the river was designed to create a reservoir for irrigation. [barrage: noun]
Example
The politician faced a barrage of questions from reporters at the press conference. [barrage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dam is more commonly used than barrage in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and has a more positive connotation. Barrage is more commonly used in specific contexts, such as military or media.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dam and barrage?
Both dam and barrage are formal words, but dam is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while barrage is more specialized and is typically used in formal or technical contexts.
