wetland

noun

wet·​land ˈwet-ˌland 

-lənd

: land or areas (such as marshes or swamps) that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture

—usually used in plural

Synonyms of wetland

• marsh
• swamp

Examples of wetland in a Sentence

the conservation board has not always been rigorous in protecting the wetlands from development

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporters say not only do the dams built by beavers help regulate the state's water supply, but the wetlands created by them also act as natural firebreaks, provide refuge for other wildlife during fires, and reduce downstream pollution after fires. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Vernal pools are small and temporary wetlands that fill with water in winter and spring and dry out by summer, Ravesi said. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026

Most natural carbon storage is driven by plants, so forests, peatlands and wetlands all store carbon because of plant growth and the build-up of organic material. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

Lastly, Kyaw Zayar Lin's photo at the top of this story features children fishing in the early hours of the day in the wetlands of Myanmar's Inle Lake. —New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wetland

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

wetland

noun

wet·​land ˈwet-ˌland 

: land or areas (as marshes or swamps) having much soil moisture

—usually used in plural