inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river

also : creek

b

: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon

2

: a way of entering

especially : an opening for intake

Synonyms of inlet

• bay
• estuary
• cove

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets.

went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast

Recent Examples on the Web

The new inlet helps maintain efficiency whether the vehicle is flying lower in the atmosphere or higher at hypersonic cruise. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026

Lockheed Martin's contribution to the enterprise is its high-speed tactical inlet that is designed for a Dual-Mode Ramjet (DMRJ). —New Atlas, 14 Jan. 2026

Nimmo Bay sits on a remote inlet in the Great Bear Rainforest, surrounded by 50,000 square miles of wilderness with no roads, no neighbors, and no cell service. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

In fact, Singer Island was once the north end of Palm Beach, until dredging created an inlet that separates the two island. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inlet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a small or narrow bay

2

: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət 

: the upper opening of a bodily cavity

especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim