mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

1

: any of a genus (Rhizophora, especially R. mangle of the family Rhizophoraceae) of tropical maritime trees or shrubs that send out many prop roots and form dense masses important in coastal land building and as foundations of unique ecosystems

2

: any of numerous trees (as of the genera Avicennia of the acanthus family or Sonneratia of the family Lythraceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The trip will include a paddle among the mangroves and oyster beds and a discussion of their importance to humans and other organisms. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025

The park is also home to Thailand’s largest native mangrove forest, a critical ecosystem that supports a wide range of wildlife. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

There is also a miniature manmade ocean, as well as a mangrove wetland and a fog desert landscape. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 July 2025

This pans out to an extraordinary abundance of plant and animal species, rivers and waterfalls, forests, (the six types here include from cloud forests and mangroves), and memorable coastlines. —AFAR Media, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from Portuguese mangue mangrove (from Spanish mangle, probably from Taino) + English grove

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mangrove

• alcove
• clove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• trove
• wove

Kids Definition

mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

: any of various tropical trees or shrubs that grow many prop roots and form dense masses in somewhat salty marshes or shallow salt water