estuary

[ es-choo-er-ee ]
/ ˈɛs tʃuˌɛr i /

noun, plural es·tu·ar·ies.

that part of the mouth or lower course of a river in which the river's current meets the sea's tide.
an arm or inlet of the sea at the lower end of a river.

Origin of estuary

1530–40; < Latin aestuārium channel, creek, inlet, equivalent to aestu(s) tide + -ārium -ary

OTHER WORDS FROM estuary

es·tu·ar·i·al [es-choo-air-ee-uh l] /ˌɛs tʃuˈɛər i əl/, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH estuary

delta estuary

Example sentences from the Web for estuary

British Dictionary definitions for estuary

estuary
/ (ˈɛstjʊərɪ) /

noun plural -aries

the widening channel of a river where it nears the sea, with a mixing of fresh water and salt (tidal) water
an inlet of the sea

Derived forms of estuary

estuarial (ˌɛstjʊˈɛərɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for estuary

C16: from Latin aestuārium marsh, channel, from aestus tide, billowing movement, related to aestās summer

Scientific definitions for estuary

estuary
[ ĕschōō-ĕr′ē ]

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.
An arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.

Cultural definitions for estuary

estuary
[ (es-chooh-er-ee) ]

A wide body of water formed where a large river meets the sea. It contains both fresh and salt water.