river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər 

often attributive

1

a

: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume

b

: watercourse

2

a

: something resembling a river

a river of lava

b

rivers plural : large or overwhelming quantities

drank rivers of coffee

see also:

sell down the river up the river

Examples of river in a Sentence

The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.

Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Founded in 1859, Kimmswick was once a bustling river port and a popular steamboat stop, and was also home to immigrants, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and merchants. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026

When the river trolley was first launched in 2014, it was intended to ferry locals from point to point along the river. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

The two whales, nicknamed Delta and Dawn, eventually made their way back down the river and back to the open sea. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Godshalk encouraged us to try banding the river cane—a technique involving tying or wrapping groups of stems for decorative purposes. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing river

• atmospheric river
• down the river
• mouth of the river
• river blindness
• river dolphin
• river duck
• river horse
• river mouth
• river otter
• river's mouth
• sell down the river
• up the river

Rhymes for river

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• shiver
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

river

noun

riv·​er ˈriv-ər 

1

: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek

2

: a large stream or flow

the jet stream is a river of air

Etymology

Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"