Carolina bay
noun
Definition of Carolina bay
: any of various shallow often oval depressions in the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S. ranging from a few hundred feet to several miles long and being usually marshy and rich in humus, heavily forested, and covered with a pure stand of trees (as cypress, bay, or black gum) different from the dominant tree (as pine) of surrounding areas
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up Carolina bay? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!