noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈkɔːz.weɪ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K AA1 Z W EY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:K AO1 Z W EY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A road that is raised so as to be above water, marshland, and similar low-lying obstacles, which in some cases may flood periodically (e.g. due to tides). Originally causeways were much like dykes, generally pierced to let water through, whereas many modern causeways are more like bridges or viaducts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1836, Account of the Old Bridge at Stratford-le-Bow in Essex from Alfred Burges, Esq. addressed to Sir Henry Ellis https://archive.org/details/archaeologiaorm01londgoog . . .the passage over the water of the Luye at Stratford atte Bowe, anciently used to be in a certain place which is called the Old Forde, which is distant from the place where the bridges and causeway now are nearly one mile, at which passage many persons passing over it at divers times were drowned, and in great danger, and when after so much danger came to the knowledge of Lady Matilda, Queen of England [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To pave, to cobble.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
a road that is raised above water or marshland or sand
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: road, route
4
verb
Meaning 4
pave a road with cobblestones or pebbles
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: pave
5
verb
Meaning 5
provide with a causeway
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
A causewayed swamp
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: supply, provide, render, furnish
History
Etymology
From Middle English cawcewey, with the first element from Middle English cauce, from Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French caucee or Old French caucie, cauchie (“route, highway”), from Vulgar Latin *calciāta (compare modern French chaussée from Old French chaucie, itself from the same source), either from Latin calx, calcis (“limestone”), or alternatively from Latin calciō (“to stamp with the heels, tread”), from calx (“heel”). The second element corresponds to English way.
Across languages
Translations
35 source translations are retained for this English entry.
