lagoon

[ luh-goon ]

noun

1. an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes. Compare laguna.
2. Also lagune. any small, pondlike body of water, especially one connected with a larger body of water.
3. an artificial pool for storage and treatment of polluted or excessively hot sewage, industrial waste, etc.

lagoon

/ ləˈɡuːn /

noun

1. a body of water cut off from the open sea by coral reefs or sand bars
2. any small body of water, esp one adjoining a larger one

lagoon

/ lə-go̅o̅n′ /

1. A shallow body of salt water close to the sea but separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, or by a coral reef.
2. A shallow pond or lake close to a larger lake or river but separated from it by a barrier such as a levee.

Other Words From

• la·goon·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lagoon¹

1605–15; earlier laguna (singular), lagune (plural) < Italian < Latin lacūna (singular), lacūnae (plural) “ditch, pool,” akin to lacus basin, lake ¹; lacuna

Word History and Origins

Origin of lagoon¹

C17: from Italian laguna, from Latin lacūna pool; see lacuna

Example Sentences

Mr Auld-Thomas and his colleagues named the city Valeriana after a nearby lagoon.

From BBC

"It was very clear from King Kong to Frankenstein to Creature from the Black Lagoon that all the monsters were the most emotional. The humans were the ones that scared me," he said.

From BBC

Your next segment takes you to Buena Vista Lagoon.

From Los Angeles Times

Walk 5.7 additional miles to Agua Hedionda Lagoon, where you’ll cross two bridges over the water, and then to South Carlsbad State Beach.

From Los Angeles Times

The route: Hike to Batiquitos Lagoon, then to Moonlight State Beach, where you’ll be bathed in the scent of the flowers cascading down the steep escarpment above, including lantana, purple sea foam and prickly pear cactus blossoms.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bayou
• pond
• pool