inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river

also : creek

b

: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon

2

: a way of entering

especially : an opening for intake

Synonyms

• bay
• estuary
• cove

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets.

went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast

Recent Examples on the Web

Located along a peaceful inlet, these 140-plus sites are perfect for anyone who wants to indulge their adventurous side during a trip to Morro Bay. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025

The man, whom the magazine did not identify citing privacy concerns, cut his shin on a bait fish trap on a pier in an inlet that leads to the bay. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Embark on a small-ship cruise in Baja Unlike mega–cruise ships that dock in bustling tourist ports, UnCruise’s small vessels navigate Baja’s secluded coves and hidden inlets, granting a proverbial backstage pass to places few travelers ever see. —Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025

Featuring an axisymmetric four-inlet design, the YJ-15 is believed to achieve supersonic flight, positioning it as a more compact option for shipborne or air-launched deployment. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inlet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a small or narrow bay

2

: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət 

: the upper opening of a bodily cavity

especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim