low tide

noun

1. the tide at the point of maximum ebb.
2. the time of low water.
3. the lowest point of decline of anything:

   His spirits were at low tide.

low tide

noun

1. the tide when it is at its lowest level or the time at which it reaches this
2. a lowest point

low tide

1. The tide at its lowest level at a particular time and place. The lowest tides reached under normal meteorological conditions (the spring tides ) take place when the Moon and Sun are directly aligned with respect to Earth. Low tides are less extreme when the Moon and Sun are at right angles (the neap tides ). Storms and other meteorological conditions can greatly affect the height of the tides as well.
2. See more at tide
3. The time at which a low tide occurs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of low tide¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Some of these hikes offer no public boardwalks above the sand, so if you find yourself on a beach where the tide is coming up too high, turn around, find a restaurant and research when the next low tide is, or hike up and walk on streets until you can return to the beach safely.

From Los Angeles Times

If low tide is your friend, hike past picturesque rocky points, looking for tide pools full of sea creatures along the way; if not, climb the stairs just before Crescent Bay to the road and take the first right, cut through Heisler Park, where, depending on the time of year, you’ll find flower gardens exploding with roses, birds of paradise and deep blue Pride of Madeira, then take the stairs at the end to Laguna Beach.

From Los Angeles Times

The pod of nine whales became trapped on mudflats at low tide in the Swale estuary near Sittingbourne on Monday and one whale was found dead on Tuesday morning.

From BBC

A coastguard spokesperson said rescue teams would return to the beach at low tide to reassess the situation.

From BBC

This means that the seaweed is cut from the reef at low tide and is never pulled from the root to ensure regrowth.

From Salon