river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər 

often attributive

1

a

: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume

b

: watercourse

2

a

: something resembling a river

a river of lava

b

rivers plural : large or overwhelming quantities

drank rivers of coffee

Phrases

up the river

: to or in prison

was sent up the river

Examples of river in a Sentence

The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.

Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.

Recent Examples on the Web

The city lies close to the Tennessee border and is part of the larger Tennessee Valley region, which is known for its rolling hills, rivers, and strong ties to aerospace and defense industries. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

The reintroduction team assumed most of the population would settle in the southern third of Indiana, where large reservoirs and river systems create ample habitat. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

Idaho is known for its mountains, rivers and outdoor adventures, but reliable and affordable internet is also widely available across the state. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Warmer temperatures increase evaporation, drying out rivers, reservoirs, soil and vegetation, and speeding up Earth’s water cycle as more water goes back into the air for precipitation. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing river

• atmospheric river
• down the river
• mouth of the river
• river blindness
• river dolphin
• river duck
• river horse
• river mouth
• river otter
• river's mouth
• sell down the river

Rhymes for river

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• shiver
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

river

noun

riv·​er ˈriv-ər 

1

: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek

2

: a large stream or flow

the jet stream is a river of air

Etymology

Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"