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

These lagoons surge and recede with the tides and are an important habitat for migrating birds and native plant species.

From Los Angeles Times

“We bought it ‘cause of this,” she said, pointing to the serene lagoon at the back of the property.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers believe more rainfall and flooding may have caused some brackish lagoons to become less salty, a trend which favors capybaras, since the animals are semi-aquatic freshwater mammals.

From Salon

Several Palestinians living nearby have complained to BBC Arabic’s Gaza Lifeline emergency radio service of the overflowing waste water, stench and rodents coming out of the lagoon.

From BBC

Related Words

• bayou
• pond
• pool