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

Those benefits are not lost on people in Cambodia, many of whom have devoted their careers to protecting and restoring mangroves. —Ryan Kellman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

From the elevated height of my mother’s village, Lumene, one looks down on the Imo River, its banks lined with mangroves. —Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

Nesting waterbirds Herons, egrets and pelicans are putting on quite a show in mangroves and tree islands throughout South Florida. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

As vacationers pour into Port Canaveral to board cruise ships or spot manatees in the mangroves, few realize how much sensitive infrastructure sits just out of view. —Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026

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