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

Participants will wade among mangroves and oyster beds, using nets to examine local aquatic life. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025

Globally, mangroves prevent more than $65 billion in property damage from storms and reduce flood risk to some 15 million people a year, according to a 2020 report published in the journal Nature. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025

The grants were for a wide array of research across disciplines, from a project to get elementary age girls interested in STEM to research on mangrove forests in the Dominican Republic. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025

Nestled between the island’s pristine coastline and a lush mangrove forest, the property was entirely rebuilt after Typhoon Rai devastated the island in 2021. —Livia Hengel, Forbes.com, 5 May 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