What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dams
Example
The Hoover Dam is a famous example of a dam. [dam: noun]
Example
They decided to dam the river to prevent future floods. [dam: verb]
barrage
Example
The barrage was built to control the water flow into the irrigation system. [barrage: noun]
Example
She faced a barrage of questions from the reporters. [barrage: noun]
Example
The enemy troops were subjected to a barrage of artillery fire. [barrage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dams are more commonly used than barrages in everyday language, as they are more well-known and widely used around the world.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dams and barrage?
Both dams and barrages can be used in formal and informal contexts, but dams may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to their association with large-scale infrastructure projects and hydroelectric power generation.
