riparian

[ ri-pair-ee-uh n, rahy- ]
/ rɪˈpɛər i ən, raɪ- /

adjective

of, relating to, or situated or dwelling on the bank of a river or other body of water: riparian villas.

noun

Law. a person who owns land on the bank of a natural watercourse or body of water.

Origin of riparian

1840–50; < Latin rīpāri(us) that frequents riverbanks ( rīp(a) bank of a river1 + -ārius -ary) + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM riparian

non·ri·par·i·an, adjective, noun

Example sentences from the Web for riparian

British Dictionary definitions for riparian

riparian
/ (raɪˈpɛərɪən) /

adjective

of, inhabiting, or situated on the bank of a river
denoting or relating to the legal rights of the owner of land on a river bank, such as fishing or irrigation

noun

property law a person who owns land on a river bank

Word Origin for riparian

C19: from Latin rīpārius, from rīpa a river bank

Scientific definitions for riparian

riparian
[ rĭ-pârē-ən ]

Relating to or inhabiting the banks of a natural course of water. Riparian zones are ecologically diverse and contribute to the health of other aquatic ecosystems by filtering out pollutants and preventing erosion. Salmon in the Pacific Northwest feed off riparian insects; trees such as the black walnut, the American sycamore, and the cottonwood thrive in riparian environments.