estuary

[ es-choo-er-ee ]

noun

plural estuaries.

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 Word Forms

• 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

Ahead of Friday's protests, Istanbul's pro-Erdogan governor has ordered the closure of the Galata and Ataturk bridges, both of which cross the Golden Horn estuary to where city hall is located.

From BBC

Environmental groups oppose building a barrage in the estuary – a highly-protected wetland of international importance.

From BBC

"The team have been made aware of a very deep 'hole' within the River Deben estuary," the Facebook post read.

From BBC

After a fire at a Monterey County battery storage facility, scientists say high levels of heavy metals were found at a nearby estuary, a home to endangered species.

From Los Angeles Times

Pictures and videos show the intensely coloured water flowing into an estuary, the Rio de la Plata, which borders an ecological reserve.

From BBC

Related Words

• inlet
• waterway