meander

[ mee-an-der ]
/ miˈæn dər /

verb (used without object)

to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course: The stream meandered through the valley.
to wander aimlessly; ramble: The talk meandered on.

verb (used with object)

Surveying. to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line.

noun

Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.
a circuitous movement or journey.
an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.

Origin of meander

1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course

OTHER WORDS FROM meander

me·an·der·er, noun me·an·der·ing·ly, adverb un·me·an·der·ing, adjective un·me·an·der·ing·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for meandering

British Dictionary definitions for meandering (1 of 2)

meander
/ (mɪˈændə) /

verb (intr)

to follow a winding course
to wander without definite aim or direction

noun

(often plural) a curve or bend, as in a river
(often plural) a winding course or movement
an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture

Derived forms of meander

meanderer, noun meandering, adjective meanderingly, adverb meandrous, adjective

Word Origin for meander

C16: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros the River Maeander; see Menderes (sense 1)

British Dictionary definitions for meandering (2 of 2)

Meander
/ (miːˈændə) /

noun

a variant spelling of Maeander

Scientific definitions for meandering

meander
[ mē-ăndər ]

A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.