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
Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
Nature lovers can kayak in the calm estuary, bike along coastal trails, or visit nearby Montaña de Oro State Park for hiking and panoramic views of the ocean.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Environmental groups said the decline of the longfin smelt, along with other fish species including Delta smelt and Chinook salmon, is linked to water management policies that have reduced flows through the estuary and contributed to worsening water quality.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
The estuary, one of the few salt marshes remaining in Southern California, is a breeding, feeding and nesting ground and key stopover point for migrating birds on their routes from Canada to Mexico and South America, said Green, 48.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estuary. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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estuary
noun
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