delta
Delta (noun) means the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea. Example: “The Nile delta supports millions of people through its fertile soil.”
How to use delta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the triangular land where a river fans out into the sea, or a small measurable difference between two things.
Word forms
deltaed past tense, deltas singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Nile _____ supports millions of people through its fertile soil.
Etymology
From the Greek letter delta (Δ), whose triangular shape resembles a river delta — itself borrowed from an earlier Phoenician word for "door".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “delta” mean?
The word “delta” means the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea. In plain terms, either the triangular land where a river fans out into the sea, or a small measurable difference between two things.
How do you pronounce “delta”?
“Delta” is pronounced DEHL-tuh (/ˈdɛltə/ in IPA).
How do you use “delta” in a sentence?
Here is “delta” used in a sentence: “The Nile delta supports millions of people through its fertile soil.”
What part of speech is “delta”?
“Delta” is a noun.
Where does the word “delta” come from?
The word “delta” comes from Greek. From the Greek letter delta (Δ), whose triangular shape resembles a river delta — itself borrowed from an earlier Phoenician word for "door".
Is “delta” a common word?
“Delta” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “delta” have?
“Delta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea.
What is the difference between a delta and an estuary?
A delta is the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea, building up deposited sediment. An estuary is the wider tidal mouth of a river where fresh and salt water mix, and it does not necessarily form the branching, sediment-built shape of a delta.
Why is a river delta called a delta?
A river delta takes its name from the Greek letter delta, whose uppercase form is a triangle (Δ). The fan-shaped, roughly triangular spread of land where a river splits into channels resembles that shape.
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