mangrove

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

mangrove swamp

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly mangrove

: a brackish-water coastal swamp of tropical and subtropical areas that is usually dominated by shrubby halophytes and is partly inundated by tidal flow

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the effort is more than justified by a paradisiacal setting with mangroves, the clearest water, and palms. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026

From the sprawling stone forts of early American history in the north, to the mangroves of the Everglades and protected reefs of Biscayne to the south, our state is a masterpiece of biodiversity and coastal wonder. — Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

On a recent August day, workers in neon green shirts and yellow construction hats installed one mimicking mangroves at a waterfront church in Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami. — Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

On a recent August day, workers in neon-green shirts and yellow construction hats installed one mimicking mangroves at a waterfront church in Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mangrove

• alcove
• 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