river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər 

often attributive

1

a

: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume

b

: watercourse

2

a

: something resembling a river

a river of lava

b

rivers plural : large or overwhelming quantities

drank rivers of coffee

Phrases

up the river

: to or in prison

was sent up the river

Examples of river in a Sentence

The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.

Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.

Recent Examples on the Web

All other users of river water have filed documents with the state outlining how their cooling systems limit fish kills. —Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025

Uniworld’s boutique river ships feature elegant design, luxury amenities, family-style gourmet dining, and immersive cultural experiences, ensuring a luxurious and memorable journey for this community and more. —Martie Bowser, Essence, 22 May 2025

The frames were built in Poland and shipped by a barge through the European river network to Marseille’s port on France’s southern coast for the contractor to pour the concrete to create 18 cubes. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Related article This 1,000-mile river suffered decades of oil spills. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing river

• atmospheric river
• down the river
• mouth of the river
• river blindness
• river dolphin
• river duck
• river horse
• river mouth
• river otter
• river's mouth
• sell down the river

Rhymes for river

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• shiver
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

river

noun

riv·​er ˈriv-ər 

1

: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek

2

: a large stream or flow

the jet stream is a river of air

Etymology

Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"