old river

noun

1. a river bed left dry because the river has changed its course.

Word History and Origins

Origin of old river¹

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Example Sentences

As part of the investigation, an area of the Old River Bed, on Hubert Way, Shrewsbury, was cordoned off earlier, the Shropshire Star reported.

From BBC

But this old river boat attracts just about all of them.

From New York Times

“Till the rains begin. Then this old river will come down out of the mountains yonder and carry you and this bridge — and a dozen bridges with it — to hell and gone.”

From Los Angeles Times

The old river and its many tributaries with their ancient ways still underlie the modern chutes-and-ladders system for cushioning L.A. from its destructive pummelings; we have had a taste of that this month.

From Los Angeles Times

A second driver who attended the bond hearing said a round hit the roof of his car as he drove on Old River Road.

From Seattle Times