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noun

riverbed

RIHV-uh-behd
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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.

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Word forms

Plural
riverbeds
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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

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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.