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
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Meanwhile, the UNDP has also helped set up a crab farming project in the Sindudurg area to encourage local preservation of the mangroves and resistance to land developers and those gathering firewood from chopping the saltwater-tolerant trees down.
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But the government has since created a financial incentive for shrimp farmers to replant the mangroves.
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Denuded of its wetlands and mangrove forests from Texas to Florida, much of the coastline started slumping into the sea.
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Antinarcotics commandos in three choppers peered at the mangroves below, scanning for any sign of activity.
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Many cayes are uninhabited clumps of sand and mangroves, but a handful are livable.
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.
Origin and Etymology of mangrove
probably from Portuguese mangue mangrove (from Spanish mangle, probably from Taino) + English grove
MANGROVE Defined for English Language Learners
mangrove
playDefinition of mangrove for English Language Learners
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: a tropical tree that has roots which grow from its branches and that grows in swamps or shallow salt water
Learn More about mangrove
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See words that rhyme with mangrove Spanish Central: Translation of mangrove Nglish: Translation of mangrove for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mangrove
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