meander

¹me·an·der

noun \mē-ˈan-dər\

Definition of MEANDER

1

: a winding path or course; especially : labyrinth

2

: a turn or winding of a stream

— me·an·drous \-drəs\ adjective

Origin of MEANDER

Latin maeander, from Greek maiandros, from Maiandros (now Menderes), river in Asia Minor

First Known Use: 1576

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with MEANDER

backhander, blackhander, bystander, commander, demander, expander, flatlander, germander, glad-hander, goosander, grandstander, inlander, Leander, left-hander, Lysander, mainlander, outlander, philander, pomander, right-hander, scrimshander, soft-lander, Uitlander

²meander

intransitive verb

meanderedmeander·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of MEANDER

1

: to follow a winding or intricate course

2

: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble

Examples of MEANDER

1. The path meanders through the garden.
2. We meandered around the village.
3. The conversation meandered on for hours.

First Known Use of MEANDER

circa 1612

Related to MEANDER

Synonyms

bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant (also galavant), kick around, knock (about), maunder, wander, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse

Related Words

amble, saunter, stroll; dawdle, mope; gypsy, hobo, tramp, vagabond; mill (about or around); straggle, stray

See Synonym Discussion at wander

meander

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Meanders, Owens River, near Mammoth Lakes, Calif.—© Barrie Rokeach—Aerial/Terrestrial Photography

Extreme U-bend in a stream, usually occurring in a series, that is caused by flow characteristics of the water. Meanders form in stream-deposited sediments and may stack up upstream of an obstruction, resulting in a gooseneck or extremely bowed meander. A cutoff may form through the gooseneck and allow the former meander bend to be sealed off as an oxbow lake. Silt deposits may eventually fill the lake to form a marsh or a meander scar.