mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

1

: any of a genus (Rhizophora, especially R. mangle of the family Rhizophoraceae) of tropical maritime trees or shrubs that send out many prop roots and form dense masses important in coastal land building and as foundations of unique ecosystems

2

: any of numerous trees (as of the genera Avicennia of the acanthus family or Sonneratia of the family Lythraceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Florida Everglades is a subtropical wetland ecosystem spanning across more than 1.5 million acres of mangroves, marshes and sawgrass. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025

Wade into the waters of the estuary to investigate marine life living among mangroves and oyster beds in salt marsh areas. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

It will be followed by birding and animal spotting across wadis, mangroves and desert highlands, with targets including pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, hamadryas baboons and gazelles. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025

The 13 acres on the south border, mostly wetlands and mangroves, will be left as is. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from Portuguese mangue mangrove (from Spanish mangle, probably from Taino) + English grove

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mangrove

• alcove
• clove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• trove
• wove

Kids Definition

mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

: any of various tropical trees or shrubs that grow many prop roots and form dense masses in somewhat salty marshes or shallow salt water