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

The property features over a mile of frontage along Fall River and controls two of the river’s primary spring-fed tributaries — Spring Creek and Lava Creek, according to Hall and Hall. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

At least 40 have drowned as people flocked to beaches, rivers and lakes to escape the heat, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said ahead of an emergency meeting on the subject. — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 23 June 2026

Across France, residents have flocked to rivers, canals, and lakes in search of relief from the scorching temperatures. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026

In England, four teenagers drowned in lakes and reservoirs during a recent hot spell, prompting one grieving father to warn families about the dangers of children playing near rivers and lakes, per Channels Television. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 23 June 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"