beach

1 of 2

noun

1
: shore pebbles : shingle
2
a
: a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel, or larger rock fragments
b
: a seashore area

beach

2 of 2

verb

beached; beaching; beaches

transitive verb

1
: to run or drive ashore
beaching the landing craft in the assault
The storm damaged and beached half the fleet.
2
: to strand on or as if on a beach
a beached shark

Examples of beach in a Sentence

Noun We spent the day at the beach. she loves walking along the beach, looking for shells that the waves cast up Verb The pirates beached the ship on the island.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In a recent incident, on June 21, a storm surge caused Lake Superior's waters to dramatically change, particularly near the beaches of Whitefish Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, according the Great Lakes Environment Research Laboratory. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 31 July 2025 There is a campground and swimming beach, along with picnic areas and hiking trails. Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
Ever since then, it’s been sitting on the shore, beached like a shipwreck, just feet from a busy highway. John Carlisle, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 Most of the park's beaches are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., while West and Porter beaches close at 9 p.m. West Beach offers locker rooms, showers and lifeguards from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend. Eric Larsen, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for beach

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb

verbal derivative of beach entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beach was circa 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Beach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beach. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

beach

1 of 2 noun
: a sandy or gravelly part of the shore of a body of water

beach

2 of 2 verb
: to run or drive ashore
beach a boat

More from Merriam-Webster on beach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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