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noun

riverbed

RIHV-uh-behd

Riverbed (noun) means the channel of ground over which a river flows, or once flowed. Example: “By late summer the riverbed was completely dry.”

noun
1
The channel of ground over which a river flows, or once flowed.
"By late summer the riverbed was completely dry."

How to use riverbed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe ground a river runs over — the bottom, not the banks.

Word forms

riverbeds plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

By late summer the _____ was completely dry.

Etymology

A compound of "river" and "bed," paralleling similar compounds in Dutch, German, and Swedish.

Origin: German

river bottom

Rhymes for riverbed

See all rhymes for riverbed →

Frequently asked questions

What does “riverbed” mean?

The word “riverbed” means the channel of ground over which a river flows, or once flowed. In plain terms, the ground a river runs over — the bottom, not the banks.

How do you pronounce “riverbed”?

“Riverbed” is pronounced RIHV-uh-behd (/ˈɹɪv.ɚˌbɛd/ in IPA).

How do you use “riverbed” in a sentence?

Here is “riverbed” used in a sentence: “By late summer the riverbed was completely dry.”

What part of speech is “riverbed”?

“Riverbed” is a noun.

Where does the word “riverbed” come from?

The word “riverbed” comes from German. A compound of "river" and "bed," paralleling similar compounds in Dutch, German, and Swedish.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial