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

Today, its mangroves buffer Odisha’s vulnerable coastline against frequent cyclones and provide breeding grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs that sustain thousands of fisher families. — Kalpana Sunder, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026

On a community level, that could mean creating more open spaces between the waterfront and development, replacing the asphalt that borders places like Virginia Key with mangroves and walking paths. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Rising Tide Explorers leads ecotours of the mangrove islands, estuaries, and marshes that surround Marco Island. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

Warmer seas would devastate the Pacific’s tuna fisheries, which produce 30% of the world’s catch, and the mangroves where fish hatch, according to the regional scientific organization SPC. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 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