British
1
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
a narrow gill in the Cumbrian Mountains of the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in brook
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
a narrow but surprisingly deep gill runs the length of the rocky gorge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gill
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
On April 16, the TV Academy in North Hollywood was packed to the gills for a screening of the season two finale — which looked particularly stunning on a big screen — followed by an impressive Q&A and reception with Thornton, Larter, Elliott, Moore, Randolph, Lofland and Chávez.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Some have gills, some have lungs; some lay eggs, some don’t; some eat seaweed, some eat other fish.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
When chemicals from oil dissolve into the water column, water-breathing animals such as fish absorb them through their gills and corals absorb them directly through their tissues.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gill
Noun
In their underwater world, this ability serves a practical purpose as well; when threatened or crowded, an axolotl may even bite off the gills or limbs of another, only for both to regenerate over time.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
On April 16, the TV Academy in North Hollywood was packed to the gills for a screening of the season two finale — which looked particularly stunning on a big screen — followed by an impressive Q&A and reception with Thornton, Larter, Elliott, Moore, Randolph, Lofland and Chávez.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Some have gills, some have lungs; some lay eggs, some don’t; some eat seaweed, some eat other fish.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
When chemicals from oil dissolve into the water column, water-breathing animals such as fish absorb them through their gills and corals absorb them directly through their tissues.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gill
Cite this Entry
“Gill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gill. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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