lagoon

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noun la·goon \ lə-ˈgün \

Definition of lagoon

1 :a shallow sound, channel, or pond near or communicating with a larger body of water

2 :a shallow artificial pool or pond (as for the processing of sewage or storage of a liquid)

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lagoonal

play \lə-ˈgü-nᵊl\ adjective

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Recent Examples of lagoon from the Web

Many of the houses are located right on a lagoon, where visitors spend most their days kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding down the water.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "Six Amazing Last-Minute Labor Day Trips," 24 Aug. 2017
Were people here early enough to visit such lagoons?

— lizzie wade, Science | AAAS, "Most archaeologists think the first Americans arrived by boat. Now, they’re beginning to prove it," 10 Aug. 2017
Located on glassy Quonochontaug Pond, actually a saltwater lagoon as well as a short walk from stunning ocean beaches, one never lacks swimming options (there's also a heated lap pool and sun deck with Jacuzzi).

— hannah seligson, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Watch Hill, Rhode Island," 20 July 2017
At one point, Dallas sported a dancehall, a little amusement park and a swimming beach on a creek lagoon.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "How KC’s Watts Mill became a mill — and a fiddler’s paradise," 18 July 2017
Flamingos are considered to be water birds that live in and around lagoons or lakes.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Pink flamingos appear on Johnson Beach during Tropical Storm Cindy," 22 June 2017
Take the scenic tram ride to the beach over tidal lagoons, or wander the adjacent trails of Lovers Key State Park.

— Smithsonian, "Discover more of Fort Myers and Sanibel's pristine beaches.," 21 June 2017
Following Lane’s death, Disney World officials were criticized for their failure to provide proper warning signage along the lagoon.

— Fox News, "Disney planning sculpture in memory 2-year-old boy who was killed by alligator," 14 June 2017
In the early Middle Ages, when Venice was a mere collection of primitive lagoon communities banded together for protection against the Huns and other invaders, men of the Brandolini d’Adda clan were among the fierce condottieri—

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Inside “La Dolce Vita” of Countess Cristiana Brandolini D’Adda," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lagoon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lagoon

French & Italian; French lagune, from Italian laguna, from Latin lacuna pit, pool, from lacus lake

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1673

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

LAGOON Defined for English Language Learners

lagoon

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noun

Definition of lagoon for English Language Learners

: an area of sea water that is separated from the ocean by a reef or sandbar

LAGOON Defined for Kids

lagoon

play

noun la·goon \ lə-ˈgün \

Definition of lagoon for Students

:a shallow channel or pond near or connected to a larger body of water

Learn More about lagoon

See words that rhyme with lagoon Spanish Central: Translation of lagoon Nglish: Translation of lagoon for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lagoon for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lagoon

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lagoon

Definition of lagoon

lagoonal

Recent Examples of lagoon from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lagoon

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LAGOON Defined for English Language Learners

lagoon

Definition of lagoon for English Language Learners

LAGOON Defined for Kids

lagoon

Definition of lagoon for Students

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lagoon

Definition of lagoon

lagoonal

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Origin and Etymology of lagoon

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lagoon

Definition of lagoon for English Language Learners

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lagoon

Definition of lagoon for Students

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