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

There, he greeted residents and learned about the island's mangrove habitats.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025

Around 12 hectares of this area are part of the State Natural Heritage Puerto Viejo mangrove and estuary.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2025

From 1996 to 2010, the value of mangroves for flood-risk reduction increased by $130 billion, and from 2010 to 2020, mangrove long-term benefits rose by an additional $502 billion.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2024

Across the estuary from the town one section of mangroves stood clear and telescopically defined, while another mangrove clump was a hazy black-green blob.

From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck