noun
Common
ford
fawd
Ford (noun) means a shallow part of a river or stream that can be crossed on foot, by horse, or by vehicle. Example: “They crossed the river at a shallow ford instead of using the bridge.”
noun
1
A shallow part of a river or stream that can be crossed on foot, by horse, or by vehicle.
"They crossed the river at a shallow ford instead of using the bridge."
"The old road dips down to a ford where cattle drink in summer."
"After the heavy rain, the ford was too deep for our little car."
verb
1
To cross a river or stream by walking or driving through the water.
"The wagons forded the river at dawn."
"Hikers had to ford a fast-moving creek to reach the trailhead."
"We had to ford the stream with our boots tied around our necks."
How to use ford
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shallow crossing point in a river, or the act of wading or driving across one.
Common pairings
ford a river
shallow ford
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Word forms
- Plural
- fords
- Third person singular
- fords
- Past tense
- forded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They crossed the river at a shallow _____ instead of using the bridge.
Etymology
From Old English ford, related to the idea of "crossing" — a distant cousin of the words firth and fjord.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ford
See all rhymes for ford →Frequently asked questions
What does “ford” mean?
The word “ford” means a shallow part of a river or stream that can be crossed on foot, by horse, or by vehicle. In plain terms, a shallow crossing point in a river, or the act of wading or driving across one.
How do you pronounce “ford”?
“Ford” is pronounced fawd (/fɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ford” in a sentence?
Here is “ford” used in a sentence: “They crossed the river at a shallow ford instead of using the bridge.”
What part of speech is “ford”?
Depending on how it is used, “ford” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ford” come from?
The word “ford” comes from Old English. From Old English ford, related to the idea of "crossing" — a distant cousin of the words firth and fjord.
Is “ford” a common word?
“Ford” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ford” have?
“Ford” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shallow part of a river or stream that can be crossed on foot, by horse, or by vehicle.
What is the difference between a ford and a bridge?
A ford is a naturally shallow stretch of a river where you cross through the water itself, wading or driving across the bed. A bridge is a built structure that carries you over the water, keeping you dry. Fords depend on low water levels; bridges work whatever the depth.
Is it safe to drive through a ford?
It can be, but only when the water is genuinely shallow and slow-moving. Depth gauges often mark the deepest point. Fast or rising water is dangerous, since even a shallow-looking flow can sweep a vehicle away or flood the engine. When in doubt, it is safer not to attempt the crossing.
Can 'ford' be used as a verb?
Yes. To 'ford' a river means to cross it at a shallow point, on foot or by vehicle. The noun names the place; the verb names the act of wading across. Both come from the same old root meaning a crossing, which also survives in town names like Oxford and Stratford.
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