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
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
What was once a pristine estuary has become a hotspot for pollution, habitat loss, and stress.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Briefly, however, while advocates say that isolating water conveyance from the Delta would improve habitat for fish and other wildlife, opponents contend that less water flowing through the estuary would further degrade its water quality.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open onto an expansive patio with a sunken seating area, alfresco dining space, and zero-edge pool that overlooks the neighboring estuary.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for estuary
Cite this Entry
“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estuary. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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estuary
noun
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