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 In the areas near the mouths of the rivers and the estuary, there is permanent signage with warnings and restrictive cordoning, the police noted. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Among the dishes is blue crab plucked from the water tableside, then served rillette-style using fat from the restaurant’s estuaries. — Jamila Robinson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 June 2026 Under a city ordinance, boats can only anchor in the estuary for 12 hours, officials said. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria, naturally occur in inland waters, estuaries and the sea. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for estuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuary
  1. bay
  2. firth
Noun
  • While efforts are made to keep bay marine life out of the lagoon, the possibility always exists for creatures to make their way into the body of water, according to police.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
  • The villa, with its rough concrete structure and minimalist elements, boasts postcard views of the French city’s namesake bay—not quite São Paolo, but certainly a good jumping-off point.
    — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 July 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 19 Jul. 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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