river

noun, often attributive riv·er \ ˈri-vər \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: river in a Sentence

Definition of river

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

— up the river

: to or in prison

was sent up the river

See river defined for English-language learners

See river defined for kids

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 of river from the Web

Friant area farmers normally get water from the San Joaquin River, stored behind Friant Dam, but reservoir levels fell so low that the Central Valley Project didn’t deliver a drop of river water to Friant farmers in 2014 and 2015.

— dale kasler and phillip reese, sacbee, "The Valley floor is sinking, and it’s crippling California’s ability to deliver water," 13 July 2018
The business, at 1909 N. Clifton Ave., is along the eastern edge of the river, near several other land parcels Sterling Bay has already acquired — most notably, the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "General Iron to sell North Side land site, move out in 2020," 13 July 2018
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

— rachel held evans, Washington Post, "The Bible is literature for the resistance," 12 July 2018
Study co-leader Robin Dennell, an archaeologist at the University of Exeter, UK, says his team has ruled out any natural processes, such as the churning of a river, that can make rocks look like tools.

— colin barras, Scientific American, "Tools from China are Oldest Hint of Human Lineage Outside Africa," 11 July 2018
In 2004, Seminole voters approved a ballot measure that established a strict rural boundary mostly east of the river, Oviedo and Lake Jesup.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Seminole County report blasts plan to build hundreds of homes in rural area," 10 July 2018
Mudpuppies are found throughout the state in rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes bays and shoal areas.

— michigan wildlife council, Detroit Free Press, "Polishing a gem: Plan aims for St. Clair-Detroit River system improvements," 10 July 2018
Next are 18-foot steel fences set back from the river, where agents patrol in trucks.

— nicholas kulish, The Seattle Times, "Human smuggling cat-and-mouse game plays out beyond the U.S.-Mexico border," 9 July 2018
There were roads to build between cities, bridges to construct over rivers, and railroad tracks to lay into the heart of the Wild West.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'river.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of river

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

RIVER Defined for English Language Learners

river

noun

Definition of river for English Language Learners

: a large natural flow of water that crosses an area of land and goes into an ocean, a lake, etc.
: a large flow of something

RIVER Defined for Kids

river

noun riv·er \ ˈri-vər \

Definition of river for Students

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

2 : a large stream or flow

a river of mud

Learn More about river

See words that rhyme with river Spanish Central: Translation of river Nglish: Translation of river for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of river for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river

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river

Definition of river

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RIVER Defined for English Language Learners

river

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river

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river

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