noun
Uncommon
estuary
EHST-yoor-ree
Estuary (noun) means the wide part of a river where it meets the sea, where fresh water mixes with salt water. Example: “Migrating birds gather in the estuary every autumn.”
noun
1
The wide part of a river where it meets the sea, where fresh water mixes with salt water.
"Migrating birds gather in the estuary every autumn."
"The old port was built where the river estuary widened into a natural harbor."
How to use estuary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe mouth of a river where it meets the sea and the waters mix.
Common pairings
river estuary
tidal estuary
estuary mouth
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Word forms
- Plural
- estuaries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Migrating birds gather in the _____ every autumn.
Etymology
From Latin aestuarium, "a tidal inlet," related to aestus, "tide" or "surge."
Rhymes for estuary
See all rhymes for estuary →Frequently asked questions
What does “estuary” mean?
The word “estuary” means the wide part of a river where it meets the sea, where fresh water mixes with salt water. In plain terms, the mouth of a river where it meets the sea and the waters mix.
How do you pronounce “estuary”?
“Estuary” is pronounced EHST-yoor-ree (/ˈɛst͡ʃuˌɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “estuary” in a sentence?
Here is “estuary” used in a sentence: “Migrating birds gather in the estuary every autumn.”
What part of speech is “estuary”?
“Estuary” is a noun.
Where does the word “estuary” come from?
The word “estuary” comes from Latin. From Latin aestuarium, "a tidal inlet," related to aestus, "tide" or "surge.".
Is “estuary” a common word?
“Estuary” is an uncommon word in modern English.
