meander

1 of 2

noun

me·​an·​der mē-ˈan-dər 

1

: a winding path or course

… the new path, which he supposed only to make a few meanders …

—Samuel Johnson

especially : labyrinth

2

: a turn or winding of a stream

The meander eventually became isolated from the main stream.

meandrous

mē-ˈan-drəs 

adjective

meander

2 of 2

verb

meandered; meandering mē-ˈan-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to follow a winding or intricate course

… across the ceiling meandered a long crack.

—John Galsworthy

2

: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble

… he meandered with the sightseers gawping at the boat people …

—John le Carré

Did you know?

[Meander] first meandered into the language in the late 16th century not as verb but as a noun referring to a turn or winding of a stream. The word came to English, by way of Latin, ultimately from Maiandros, the Greek name for a river known today as the Menderes River in what is now southwestern Turkey. The more popular verb use dates to the early 17th century and means both "to follow a winding or intricate course" and "to ramble." Despite its fluvial origins, these days meander is more commonly used to refer to a person's wandering course than a river's.

Synonyms of meander

Verb

• wander
• roam
• stroll
• drift

Choose the Right Synonym for meander

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose.

wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Examples of meander in a Sentence

Verb

The path meanders through the garden.

We meandered around the village.

The conversation meandered on for hours.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Beltline’s Northwest Trail, located in the industrial area around West Marietta Street and Northside Drive, has two segments open to the public, plus a meandering spur that winds its way to the bustling The Works development. —Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 June 2026

Spend late morning taking a stroll around the Garden’s meandering paths decorated by statues, fountains, various trees and plants, and a six-acre pond with massive 6,000-pound swan boats that can ferry up to roughly 20 visitors per ride. —Tanya Edwards, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

After filling your bucket, sample fresh produce and strawberry treats at the market, or meander through a field of giant sunflowers. —Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026

Once while walking to the trailhead, I was greeted by a local dog whose collar informed me that he was allowed to meander about and knew how to get back home. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin maeander, from Greek maiandros, from Maiandros (now Menderes), river in Asia Minor

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for meander

• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander
• laender
• lander
• pander
• sander
• slander
• stander

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Kids Definition

meander

1 of 2 noun

me·​an·​der mē-ˈan-dər 

1

: a turn or winding of a stream

2

: a winding path or course

meander

2 of 2 verb

meandered; meandering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to follow a winding or complicated course

2

: to wander without a goal or purpose