plural rivers
1
: a large natural flow of water that crosses an area of land and goes into an ocean, a lake, etc.
the Mississippi River
The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.
They have a house on the river. [=on land next to the river]
Large boats came up/down the river. [=in the opposite/same direction that the river is flowing]
the mouth of the river = the river's mouth = the river mouth [=the place where the river enters the ocean]
2
: a large flow of something
Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.
—often + ofThe jet stream is a river of air.
I cried a river of tears. [=I cried a lot]
Cite this Entry
“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/river. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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