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

At Mo Ranch, a camp my son once attended, leaders who’d been keeping an eye on the river and the weather alerts moved campers and staff from riverside buildings to higher ground in the middle of the night. —Katharine Hayhoe, Time, 10 July 2025

The National Park Service oversees 433 total units of land, such as battlefields, memorials, monuments, preserves, scenic rivers and other cultural and environmental sites, including the Ocmulgee mounds. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 July 2025

There are also a number of lakes, ponds and major rivers that are great for catching a variety of fish. —Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025

The man was attempting to reach the Colorado River for an overnight stay at the historic Phantom Ranch, nestled on the north side of the formidable river, which can only be accessed on foot or by raft. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 10 July 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"