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

see also:

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

But the most ambitious combinations of food and vantage are reserved for lunches, which move daily to points along treks – the rim of a remote lake, a terrace in a quaint village house by the river, or a rooftop with panoramic views in the village of Zhong. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

The practice occurs in rivers and lakes across the state. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

Other options include gravel, river rocks and crushed granite, which all have texture built in and feel integrated with the natural environment. —Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

And nature can be defined loosely—as any environment with green (parks, trees) or blue (rivers, lakes) elements is fair game. —Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026

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
• up 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"