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
Samuel Johnson
especially
: labyrinth
2
: a turn or winding of a stream
The meander eventually became isolated from the main stream.
meandered; meandering
mē-ˈan-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to follow a winding or intricate course
across the ceiling meandered a long crack—John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy2
: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble
he meandered with the sightseers gawping at the boat people—John le Carré
John le Carré
Did you know?
Meander comes from Greek Maiandros, an old name for a winding river in Asia Minor that is now known as the Menderes. Despite this origin, the word is more commonly used to refer to a person's wandering course than a river's.
Synonyms
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 WebAnne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Afterward, take one last meander through Midtown, where shops and still more eateries await.
—Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
The show offers a curatorial meander across the city, bringing together in dialogue—like commuters, flâneurs, or tourists—contemporary artists and canonical modern British artworks, alongside sculptural and figure-transforming fashion designs from Anderson’s eponymous label JW Anderson and Loewe.
—Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2023
The prints add another element: squares of color with internal patterns, through which the bending strips meander.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
While the various legal maneuvers proceed in the courts and the bureaucratic endeavors meander through City Hall, the old church remains a forlorn and empty structure next to a field, parking lot and groups of vehicles on the site.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
Afterwards, meander over to Cocktail Kitchen to sip on happy hour specials while watching the Gap come to life from your seat on the balcony.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
Leave your bike outside and meander through the sloping hills covered in stubby graves, statues of veiled angels, and grand mausoleums.
—Francesca Carington, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2024
Advertisement Books Sheila Heti recounts the ABCs of her evolution in new book of diary entries
Feb. 5, 2024
Questions of fate and identity meander through these stories.
—Kate Tuttle, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s also a restaurant and bar, an indoor/outdoor spa with five treatment rooms, infinity-edge swimming pool, a yoga pavilion, meandering pathways leading to hidden pergolas, a helipad, and per the listing, the opportunity for the new owner to add 16 more villas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The plan today is to meander in a loop along the Thames.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Some 60-feet away from the cup at the back of the green, Woods sent a winding effort meandering across the grass.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
The day continued with the Clippers meandering through so much of Saturday afternoon’s affair against the Chicago Bulls.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spend some time meandering through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which sports more than 60 pieces, before venturing over the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024
For a truly epic cross-country journey, the Natchez Trace Parkway that meanders through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee offers a mix of history, scenic beauty, and southern charm.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
The urban center and its environs are home to wide-ranging accommodation options, from iconic hotels of historical and architectural significance to meandering beachside resort properties that beckon visitors with world-class golf and tennis.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
Kayak or paddleboard on the Pamlico River, post up on a pier to reel in fresh and saltwater fish, and meander down the Palmetto Boardwalk and the nature trails of Goose Creek State Park (whose marshes and bogs were once preferred hiding spots for the pirate Blackbeard).
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
Afterward, take one last meander through Midtown, where shops and still more eateries await.
—Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
The show offers a curatorial meander across the city, bringing together in dialogue—like commuters, flâneurs, or tourists—contemporary artists and canonical modern British artworks, alongside sculptural and figure-transforming fashion designs from Anderson’s eponymous label JW Anderson and Loewe.
—Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2023
The prints add another element: squares of color with internal patterns, through which the bending strips meander.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
While the various legal maneuvers proceed in the courts and the bureaucratic endeavors meander through City Hall, the old church remains a forlorn and empty structure next to a field, parking lot and groups of vehicles on the site.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
Afterwards, meander over to Cocktail Kitchen to sip on happy hour specials while watching the Gap come to life from your seat on the balcony.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
Leave your bike outside and meander through the sloping hills covered in stubby graves, statues of veiled angels, and grand mausoleums.
—Francesca Carington, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2024
Advertisement Books Sheila Heti recounts the ABCs of her evolution in new book of diary entries
Feb. 5, 2024
Questions of fate and identity meander through these stories.
—Kate Tuttle, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Verb
Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddleboarding: Explore Florida’s Water Corridors Florida’s aquatic playground extends from the expansive ocean to meandering rivers and serene lakes, offering paddlers a diverse range of experiences.
—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s also a restaurant and bar, an indoor/outdoor spa with five treatment rooms, infinity-edge swimming pool, a yoga pavilion, meandering pathways leading to hidden pergolas, a helipad, and per the listing, the opportunity for the new owner to add 16 more villas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The plan today is to meander in a loop along the Thames.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Some 60-feet away from the cup at the back of the green, Woods sent a winding effort meandering across the grass.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
The day continued with the Clippers meandering through so much of Saturday afternoon’s affair against the Chicago Bulls.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spend some time meandering through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which sports more than 60 pieces, before venturing over the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024
For a truly epic cross-country journey, the Natchez Trace Parkway that meanders through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee offers a mix of history, scenic beauty, and southern charm.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
The urban center and its environs are home to wide-ranging accommodation options, from iconic hotels of historical and architectural significance to meandering beachside resort properties that beckon visitors with world-class golf and tennis.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meander.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near meander
Cite this Entry
“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meander. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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