mangrove

American  

[mang-grohv, man-] / ˈmæŋ groʊv, ˈmæn- /

noun

1. any tropical tree or shrub of the genus Rhizophora, the species of which are mostly low trees growing in marshes or tidal shores, noted for their interlacing above-ground adventitious roots.

2. any of various similar plants.

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mangrove British  

/ ˈmæŋɡrəʊv, ˈmæn- /

noun

1. 1. any tropical evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Rhizophora, having stiltlike intertwining aerial roots and growing below the highest tide levels in estuaries and along coasts, forming dense thickets: family Rhizophoraceae

   2. ( as modifier )

      mangrove swamp

2. any of various similar trees or shrubs of the genus Avicennia: family Avicenniaceae

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Etymology

Origin of mangrove

First recorded in 1605–15; alteration (by folk etymology) of earlier mangrow, from Portuguese mangue, ultimately derived from Taíno

Example Sentences

Troops found the submarine in a mangrove swamp in the Cayapas–Mataje nature reserve.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

It was flooded as the water swept across the mangrove and into the facility.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

A photo at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, historically known as Saigon, shows the damage at Cần Giờ mangrove forest.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025

The study also shows that while mangrove loss continued from 2010 to 2020, the rate of decline slowed significantly to just 0.66 percent.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2024

Villagers had planted new mangrove plants to replace the bushes and trees torn away by the cyclone, and new roots were beginning to push through the salty soil.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins