lough

[ lok, lokh ]

noun

, Irish English.

1. a lake.
2. a partially landlocked or protected bay; a narrow arm of the sea.

lough

/ lɒx; lɒk /

noun

1. an Irish word for lake 1
2. a long narrow bay or arm of the sea in Ireland

Word History and Origins

Origin of lough¹

1505–15; Anglo-Irish spelling of Irish loch lake; compare Middle English low, lough ( e ), logh ( e ), Old English (Northumbrian) lūh < British Celtic *lux- (> Welsh llwch (obsolete) lake, Old Breton luh, Breton louc’h ), apparently < early Irish; loch

Word History and Origins

Origin of lough¹

C14: from Irish loch lake

Example Sentences

Lough Erne was a base for RAF Coastal Command flying boats protecting Allied shipping convoys in the Atlantic.

From BBC

They flew along a route that became known as the Donegal corridor, a shortcut that linked Lough Erne with the Atlantic Ocean and extended the range of the aircraft.

From BBC

Several crews simply failed to return, while others are thought to still lie below the surface of the lough.

From BBC

Instead, the view from the cabins, which they were not allowed to sleep in, was Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland.

From BBC

It did leave the port just after 23:30, but remained in the lough for almost three more days before departing at about 16:30 on Thursday.

From BBC