river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər How to pronounce river (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of rivernext
1
a
: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume
b
: watercourse
2
a
: something resembling a river
a river of lava
b
rivers plural : large or overwhelming quantities
drank rivers of coffee
Phrases
up the river
: to or in prison
was sent up the river

Examples of river in a Sentence

The raft is too small to use on this part of the river. Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web The creeks that are on city property, such as Morrison Creek, flow to the Sacramento and American rivers, the lawsuit points out. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 8 June 2024 Environmentalists have pressed state water officials, particularly the Water Resources Control Board, to compel farmers to reduce diversions from rivers to enhance flows. —Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 7 June 2024 Water is a main attraction at most Florida destinations, and with five waterslides, four pools, a lazy river, and access to a secluded private island, Coconut Point more than has that covered. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 June 2024 Lake Lanier was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Buford Dam, flooding 47 miles of river bed. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for river 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'river.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of river was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing river

Dictionary Entries Near river

riven

river

river's mouth

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.

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Kids Definition

river

noun
riv·​er ˈriv-ər How to pronounce river (audio)
1
: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek
2
: a large stream or flow
the jet stream is a river of air
Etymology

Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"

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