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
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
This is a common behavior for bitterlings, and the fish have adapted to have females lay their eggs in the gills of freshwater mussels before the males come along to fertilize them, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Out of the Everglades, fins became limbs and gills became lungs.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 June 2025
The young mutant, with the ability to evolve and adapt to any environment, showed off his skills in the movie by submerging his head in a fish tank only to spontaneously sprout gills.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gill
Noun
Other organs like the liver, brain, gills, and even the olfactory system have shown signs of immune activity in past studies.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
This is a common behavior for bitterlings, and the fish have adapted to have females lay their eggs in the gills of freshwater mussels before the males come along to fertilize them, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Out of the Everglades, fins became limbs and gills became lungs.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 June 2025
The young mutant, with the ability to evolve and adapt to any environment, showed off his skills in the movie by submerging his head in a fish tank only to spontaneously sprout gills.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gill
Cite this Entry
“Gill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gill. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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