tidewater

American  

[tahyd-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈtaɪdˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /

noun

1. water affected by the flow and ebb of the tide.

2. the water covering tideland at flood tide.

3. seacoast.

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tidewater British  

/ ˈtaɪdˌwɔːtə /

noun

1. water that advances and recedes with the tide

2. water that covers land that is dry at low tide

3. 1. coastal land drained by tidal streams

   2. ( as modifier )

      tidewater regions

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tidewater Scientific  

/ tīd′wô′tər /

1. Water that inundates land at flood tide.

2. Water affected by the tides, especially tidal streams.

3. Low coastal land drained by tidal streams.

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Etymology

Origin of tidewater

First recorded in 1765–75; tide ¹ + water

Example Sentences

Many Antarctic glaciers are tidewater glaciers, meaning they sit on the ocean floor and extend into the sea, where they release icebergs.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

When a tidewater glacier thins enough, it can lift off the seabed and begin floating on the ocean surface.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

The Malibu Triathlon faces cancellation due to a flooded underpass that’s now home to the tidewater goby and a law requiring 32 days’ notice of a race route.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2023

“God bless the tidewater goby, but let’s be honest, you guys have the power — you need to allow this to go forward,” said Pamela Conley Ulich, a former mayor of Malibu.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

I stopped in the middle of this hurrying day to remember him like that, and then, feeling refreshed, I went on to the Crew House beside the tidewater river below the dam.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• inlet
• waterway