river otter

noun

: any of various Old and New World otters (especially genera Lutra and Lontra)

especially : one (Lontra canadensis) of Alaska, Canada, and the conterminous U.S. found in aquatic environments from marine coastal regions to high mountains

Examples of river otter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plans for the site include nature trails, a tree canopy walk, an owl enclosure, a frog bog, a North American river otter habitat and interactive labs representing the Piedmont region. — Chase Jordan august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026

One river otter was captured at the scene and tested negative for rabies at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

The Detroit Zoo just announced the arrival of three North American river otter pups, and this is exactly the kind of news your day needed. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

For a species as charismatic and ecologically important as the North American river otter, every birth represents a meaningful step. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for river otter

• imprimatur
• underwater
• auteur
• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter