estuary

[ es-choo-er-ee ]

noun

, plural es·tu·ar·ies.

1. that part of the mouth or lower course of a river in which the river's current meets the sea's tide.
2. an arm or inlet of the sea at the lower end of a river.

estuary

/ ˌɛstjʊˈɛərɪəl; ˈɛstjʊərɪ /

noun

1. the widening channel of a river where it nears the sea, with a mixing of fresh water and salt (tidal) water
2. an inlet of the sea

estuary

/ ĕs′cho̅o̅-ĕr′ē /

1. The wide lower course of a river where it flows into the sea. Estuaries experience tidal flows and their water is a changing mixture of fresh and salt.
2. An arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.

estuary

1. A wide body of water formed where a large river meets the sea. It contains both fresh and salt water.

Derived Forms

• estuarial, adjective

Other Words From

• es·tu·ar·i·al [es-choo-, air, -ee-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of estuary¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin aestuārium “channel, creek, inlet,” from aestu(s) “fire, heat, tide” + -ārium -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of estuary¹

C16: from Latin aestuārium marsh, channel, from aestus tide, billowing movement, related to aestās summer

Example Sentences

The estuary already has a long list of non-native species, including bass, water hyacinth, Asian clams and overbite clams.

From Los Angeles Times

The non-native mussels also could kill native mussels in the estuary.

From Los Angeles Times

Longfin smelt have suffered major declines in the San Francisco Bay estuary.

From Los Angeles Times

On a sunny day in October, angler Jay Lewis was enjoying the peaceful views over the Severn Estuary on Penarth Pier in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales.

From BBC

Longfin smelt have suffered major declines in the San Francisco Bay estuary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inlet
• waterway