river

¹

[ riv-er ]

noun

1. a natural stream of water of fairly large size flowing in a definite course or channel or series of diverging and converging channels.
2. a similar stream of something other than water: a river of ice.

   a river of lava;

   a river of ice.

3. any abundant stream or copious flow; outpouring: rivers of words.

   rivers of tears;

   rivers of words.

4. River, Astronomy. the constellation Eridanus.
5. Printing. a vertical channel of white space resulting from the alignment in several lines of spaces between words.

river

²

[ rahy-ver ]

noun

1. a person who rives.

river

/ ˈrɪvə /

noun

1. 1. a large natural stream of fresh water flowing along a definite course, usually into the sea, being fed by tributary streams
   2. ( as modifier )

      river traffic

      a river basin

   3. ( in combination ) fluvialpotamic

      riverside

      riverbed

2. any abundant stream or flow

   a river of blood

3. sell down the river informal.
   to deceive or betray
4. the river slang.
   poker the fifth and final community card to be dealt in a round of Texas hold 'em

river

/ rĭv′ər /

1. A wide, natural stream of fresh water that flows into an ocean or other large body of water and is usually fed by smaller streams, called tributaries, that enter it along its course. A river and its tributaries form a drainage basin, or watershed, that collects the runoff throughout the region and channels it along with erosional sediments toward the river. The sediments are typically deposited most heavily along the river's lower course, forming floodplains along its banks and a delta at its mouth.

Derived Forms

• ˈriverless, adjective

Other Words From

• river·less adjective
• river·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of river¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English river(e), rever(e), from Old French rivere, riviere, from unattested Vulgar Latin rīpāria, noun use of feminine of Latin rīpārius riparian

Origin of river²

First recorded in 1450–1500; rive + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of river¹

C13: from Old French riviere , from Latin rīpārius of a river bank, from rīpa bank

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sell down the river, to betray; deceive; double-cross:

   to sell one's friends down the river.

2. up the river, Slang.
   1. to prison:

      to be sent up the river for a bank robbery.

   2. in prison:

      Thirty years up the river had made him a stranger to society.

More idioms and phrases containing river

see sell down the river ; up the river .

Example Sentences

Currently, treated effluent from the plant is released into the Los Angeles River in the Sepulveda Basin, providing a significant portion of the river’s flow in the area during dry times.

From Los Angeles Times

A series of demonstrations over the practice, which has led to the pollution of several major rivers with dangerous chemicals, have been held in the build-up to the vote.

From BBC

Again, untreated effluent polluted the rivers and the local marsh rhyne drainage system.

From BBC

"Up to the river, up to the water source where people drink, up to ponds where people catch fish."

From BBC

During the Biden administration, federal water managers seemed reluctant to compel the states that rely on the river to develop plans for dramatically cutting water use.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• estuary
• stream
• tributary