ˈwater-front
orig. U.S.
1. Land or buildings abutting on a river, a lake, the sea, etc.; the frontage of a town on the water-side.
| 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits iii. 47 A people so skilful and sufficient in economizing water-front by docks, warehouses, and lighters. 1883 Harper's Mag. May 813/2 The water⁓front is lined with shipping. 1896 Howells Impressions & Exp. 256 The ugliness is..that of all city water-fronts. 1897 Kipling Capt. Cour. x. 230 Boat-builders, and coopers, and all the mixed population of the water-front. |
| attrib. 1918 Punch 27 Mar. 206/1 In many a sailors' drinking-place and water-front saloon. |
2. ‘A water-heater set in the front of a stove’ (Webster 1911).