fiord

1 of 2

noun (1)

less common spelling of fjord

: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes

the fjords of Norway

fjord

2 of 2

noun (2)

fē-ˈȯrd  ˈfē-ˌȯrd 

ˈfyȯrd

variants or less commonly fiord

: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes

the fjords of Norway

Illustration of fjord

Synonyms of fiord

Noun (2)

• bay
• estuary
• loch
• cove

Examples of fiord in a Sentence

Noun (2)

a cruise through the breathtaking fjords along the coast of Norway

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clients are helicoptered into a deep fiord where a private cruise transports them to a remote island. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

The South Island is renowned for its spectacular natural scenery, from the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park to the fiords and mountains in the Southern Alps. — Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2026

Noun

The Norway Pavilion once included a ride called Maelstrom, which took riders through the Norwegian fjords with Vikings and mythic trolls. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Cruise operators are being asked to scale back trips through certain fjords, or narrow coastal waterways surrounded by steep terrain, after residents of Greenland raised concerns about the impact of ships on local communities and the environment. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Norwegian fjord, from Old Norse fjǫrthr — more at ford

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1674, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fiord

variant of fjord