as in bay
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
the city sits on the shores of a deep estuary where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean
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Recent Examples of estuary
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, spanning 64,000 square miles of watershed, six states, 18 million people and centuries of history and culture tied to its health.
—
Serena C. McIlwain,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
In exchange, China could seek greater access to the estuary of the Tumen River, which forms part of the border between the two countries, and navigational rights in waters off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
The North Carolina Estuarium is another highlight, with Pamlico River tours as well as 200 exhibits on estuaries and coastal rivers.
—
Caroline Eubanks,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
The lone mast stands 656 ft (200 m) tall with a span of 1,476 ft (450 m), and the use of a single mast in this design minimizes disruption to the riverbed and the estuary's aquatic ecosystem.
—
New Atlas,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for estuary
Serena C. McIlwain,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
In exchange, China could seek greater access to the estuary of the Tumen River, which forms part of the border between the two countries, and navigational rights in waters off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
The North Carolina Estuarium is another highlight, with Pamlico River tours as well as 200 exhibits on estuaries and coastal rivers.
—
Caroline Eubanks,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
The lone mast stands 656 ft (200 m) tall with a span of 1,476 ft (450 m), and the use of a single mast in this design minimizes disruption to the riverbed and the estuary's aquatic ecosystem.
—
New Atlas,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for estuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuary
Noun
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The primary bedroom can easily fit a king and comes with an en suite bath, plenty of closet space, and dual exposures, including a bay-window setup.
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Otherwise, expect a partly cloudy and humid night with temperatures cooling into the mid and upper 60s away from the bay by sunrise on Tuesday.
Noun
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After playing one more hole, the twelfth, along the firth, the course makes a turn inland for the duration of the round.
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Bleary-eyed coverage that kicks off before sunrise in the States, with gusts off the firth and cut lines that can swallow a top 10 in an hour.
Cite this Entry
“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estuary. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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