estuary
noun
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A partly enclosed coastal body of water in which river water is mixed with seawater is called an estuary. An estuary is thus defined by salinity rather than geography. Many coastal features designated by other names are in fact estuaries (for instance, Chesapeake Bay). Some of the oldest continuous civilizations have flourished in estuarine environments (for example, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Nile delta, and the Ganges delta). Cities such as London (Thames River), New York (Hudson River), and Montreal (St. Lawrence River) developed on estuaries and became important commercial centers.
Examples of estuary in a Sentence
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The area represents one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast.
—Thad Moore, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026
In estuaries like the one at Cape Fear, deepening a channel can allow tides and storm surges to push farther upriver, bringing salt water with them.
—Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026
Cows are responsible for many millions of pounds of nitrogen every year, polluting Florida’s springs, rivers and estuaries.
—Harper West, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for estuary
Cite this Entry
“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estuary. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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estuary
noun
