noun

estuary

EHST-yoor-ree

noun

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 notes

In plain EnglishThe mouth of a river where it meets the sea and the waters mix.

Common pairings

river estuary tidal estuary estuary mouth

estuaries plural

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Can you complete this real example?

Migrating birds gather in the _____ every autumn.

From Latin aestuarium, "a tidal inlet," related to aestus, "tide" or "surge."

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