beach

¹

[ beech ]

noun

1. an expanse of sand or pebbles along a shore.
2. the part of the shore of an ocean, sea, large river, lake, etc., washed by the tide or waves.

   Synonyms: littoral, strand, seashore, coast

3. the area adjacent to a seashore:

   We're vacationing at the beach.

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical. to haul or run onto a beach:

   We beached the ship to save it.

2. to make inoperative or unemployed.

   Synonyms: ground

Beach

²

[ beech ]

noun

1. Alfred Ely, 1826–96, U.S. editor, publisher, and inventor.
2. Amy Marcey Cheney [mahr, -see], 1867–1944, U.S. composer and pianist.
3. Moses Yale, 1800–68, U.S. newspaper publisher.
4. Rex El·ling·wood [el, -ing-w, oo, d], 1877–1949, U.S. novelist and short-story writer.
5. Sylvia Woodbridge, 1887–1962, U.S. bookseller and publisher in France.

beach

/ biːtʃ /

noun

1. an extensive area of sand or shingle sloping down to a sea or lake, esp the area between the high- and low-water marks on a seacoast littoral

verb

1. to run or haul (a boat) onto a beach

beach

/ bēch /

1. The area of accumulated sand, stone, or gravel deposited along a shore by the action of waves and tides. Beaches usually slope gently toward the body of water they border and have a concave shape. They extend landward from the low water line to the point where there is a distinct change in material (as in a line of vegetation) or in land features (as in a cliff).

Other Words From

• beachless adjective
• un·beached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

First recorded in 1525–35; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

C16: perhaps related to Old English bæce river, beck ²

Synonym Study

See shore ¹.

Example Sentences

Days after a human skull and bones washed ashore on a beach in Palos Verdes Estates, authorities are still trying to identify the decedent and the case of death, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

Referencing his troubles in Sao Paulo, Hamilton said: "In the heat of the moment, for sure I'd much rather be on the beach and chilling and 'I don't need to do this'."

From BBC

Smerilli ended a beach vacation early, ran home and read the first part of the script.

From Los Angeles Times

Before getting his surgical procedures, he said, “I was scared to date. I was scared to wear clothes that I liked. I was scared to go to the beach.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now I, as a child, whenever I would go to the beach, I used to love walking up to gulls and seeing how close I could get to touch them before they would fly away.

From Salon

Related Words

• coast
• shore
• waterfront