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

For Ramona couple Michael and Katie Skahan, the 2026 Taste of Ramona offered a chance to meander through town and sample food at nearly two dozen venues. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

Pass-rush concerns and the meandering stadium push continue to be hot topics for Chicago Bears fans. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

If a meeting meanders, ask for the decision, restate next steps, and make sure responsibilities and budgets are realistic. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026

Yet critics have pointed to Trump’s meandering speeches and sometimes bellicose rhetoric as evidence of cognitive decline. —ABC News, 26 May 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