marsh

noun

ˈmärsh 

often attributive

: a tract of soft wet land usually characterized by monocotyledons (such as grasses or cattails)

Synonyms of marsh

• wetland
• swamp

Examples of marsh in a Sentence

a wide expanse of marsh

the marshes along the coast support a remarkable profusion of plants and animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Before there were levees, there were 4 million acres of wetland here, an inland marsh that took the Sierra’s runoff every spring. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Frith has three friends with her when she’s first seen traversing the marshes. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

The fly population explosion is due to warm, humid weather and westerly winds that have pushed the pests out of the marshes, experts say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Staying safe from alligators in Florida Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for centuries and are found in all of Florida's 67 counties. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mersh, from Old English merisc, mersc; akin to Middle Dutch mersch marsh, Old English mere sea, pool — more at marine

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing marsh

• marsh elder
• marsh gas
• marsh hawk
• marsh hen
• marsh mallow
• marsh marigold
• marsh pink
• salt marsh

Rhymes for marsh

• harsh

Kids Definition

marsh

noun

ˈmärsh 

: an area of soft wet land usually overgrown by grasses and sedges

marshy

ˈmär-shē

adjective

Biographical Definition

Marsh

biographical name

ˈmärsh 

Dame (Edith) Ngaio ˈnī-(ˌ)ō  1899–1982 New Zealand writer