mangrove

noun man·grove \ ˈman-ˌgrōv , ˈmaŋ- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of mangrove

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 vervain family or Sonneratia of the family Sonneratiaceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

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Recent Examples of mangrove from the Web

Tannins from the surrounding mangrove trees cause the color, Chanona explains—though, the trees are being chopped down at a rapid rate.

— brian j. skerry, National Geographic, "How One Country Is Restoring Its Damaged Ocean," 11 Apr. 2018
Warmer winters have allowed tropical black mangroves, which are so thick that cranes can’t walk through them to look for food, to move deeper into some coastal estuaries.

— henry gass, The Christian Science Monitor, "As more Texans 'Give a Whoop,' hope for saving iconic cranes – and coast," 2 Apr. 2018
For the rest of the day, Mr. MacGregor showed me around the elegantly restored old quarter center of his hometown and its northern and southern edges, where the peaceful streets give way to mangroves and scruffy urban beaches.

— michael snyder, New York Times, "In Campeche, Pyramids Are Everywhere. Crowds Are Not," 2 Feb. 2018
Some signs of disrepair are obvious, and caused by the recent hurricane: Along the Rowdy Bend walking trail, toppled white mangroves and buttonwoods crisscross the path every 30 feet or so.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Don’t be distracted by the beauty. Florida’s national parks are falling apart," 29 Jan. 2018
Bike across pristine white beaches and through towering mangroves.

— mackenzie wagoner, Bon Appetit, "5 Healthy Trips for People Who Hate Wellness Retreats," 7 Jan. 2018
These four-inch-long tropical marksmen—sporting a row of handsome black patches down their silvery sides—mostly inhabit brackish waters of estuaries, mangroves and streams from India to the Philippines, Australia and Polynesia.

— jonathan balcombe, Scientific American, "Fishes Use Problem-Solving and Invent Tools," 1 May 2017
Kayak and canoe trails on the bay side dart among mangroves and into sea grass flats where blue heron perch and feed.

— katherine rodeghier, chicagotribune.com, "Florida's Pinellas County beaches offer stretch of sand for every mood," 5 Feb. 2018
Over decades, the mangroves almost vanished as tens of thousands of people settled the area, which mostly lacked proper sewage systems.

— david gonzalez, New York Times, "From San Juan to New York, He Offers Help and Hope for the Uprooted," 4 Feb. 2018

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