mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

1

: any of a genus (Rhizophora, especially R. mangle of the family Rhizophoraceae) of tropical maritime trees or shrubs that send out many prop roots and form dense masses important in coastal land building and as foundations of unique ecosystems

2

: any of numerous trees (as of the genera Avicennia of the vervain family or Sonneratia of the family Sonneratiaceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The two-story catamaran leaves from the docks of the Historic Seaport and offers an adventurous day of paddling through a maze of backcountry mangroves to spot wildlife, and then sailing to a stunning sandbar. —Miami Herald, 30 May 2024

Recently, the company invited a group of journalists to a presentation during which young Saudis described green practices like using drones rather than lumbering fleets of trucks when prospecting for oil or restoring mangrove swamps along tropical coastlines to soak up carbon dioxide. —Stanley Reed, New York Times, 29 May 2024

The ecological area, which extends from Shroud Cay in the north to Bells Cay in the south, protects mangroves and amazing marine species. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2024

As supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio danced in the shallow end of a sleek infinity pool, fashion designer Prabal Gurung stared out at the lush mangroves, swaying palms, and the glistening Caribbean as the sun dipped into the horizon. —Dobrina Zhekova, Robb Report, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from Portuguese mangue mangrove (from Spanish mangle, probably from Taino) + English grove

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

: any of various tropical trees or shrubs that grow many prop roots and form dense masses in somewhat salty marshes or shallow salt water