estuary

noun

ˈes-chə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce estuary (audio)
Definition of estuarynext
as in bay
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline the city sits on the shores of a deep estuary where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of estuary Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana Coast. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Nicknamed the Emerald Coast, this land has miles of golden-sand beach on one side, mangrove estuaries, evergreen rainforest, and Sierra Madre mountains on the other. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 Murrells Inlet MarshWalk The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk follows a saltwater estuary for half a mile. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 For around 20 minutes, the pilot weaved his cheeky confession in clear loops above the Dee estuary, leaving an unmistakable signature in the sky. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for estuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuary
  1. bay
  2. firth
Noun
  • Snakes are ectothermic and rely on outside heat to regulate their body temperature, so a dark, warm engine bay makes an appealing shelter — and offers plenty of nooks to hide from predators.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Monochrome cruise missile is based on the S-71 Kovyor and is designed for carriage inside the weapons bays of the Su-57 fighter jet and S-70 Okhotnik drone.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of bay
Noun
  • After playing one more hole, the twelfth, along the firth, the course makes a turn inland for the duration of the round.
    — Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bleary-eyed coverage that kicks off before sunrise in the States, with gusts off the firth and cut lines that can swallow a top 10 in an hour.
    — Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Definition of firth

Browse Nearby Words

estuaries
estuary
esurient
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estuary. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on estuary

Nglish: Translation of estuary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about estuary

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