marsh

noun

ˈmärsh 

often attributive

: a tract of soft wet land usually characterized by monocotyledons (such as grasses or cattails)

Synonyms

• bog
• fen
• marshland
• mire
• moor
• morass
• muskeg
• slough
• slew
• slue
• swamp
• swampland
• wash
• wetland

Examples of marsh in a Sentence

a wide expanse of marsh

the marshes along the coast support a remarkable profusion of plants and animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Wright's marsh thistle (scientific name: Cirsium wrightii) Zuni fleabane (scientific name: Erigeron rhizomatus) Reach the reporter at [e-mail] or on X @ZachBradshaw14. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024

Kayak the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Kayak the calm waters of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for views across pristine freshwater marshes and maritime forests. —AFAR Media, 17 Dec. 2024

Marshmallows are believed to date back to the ancient Egyptians, who made the treat out of the mallow plant, typically grown in marshes. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024

Alligators can be found in lakes, rivers, creeks, marshes, swamps and ponds across North Carolina, but most are located in patches along the coast. —Jasmine Baehr, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mersh, from Old English merisc, mersc; akin to Middle Dutch mersch marsh, Old English mere sea, pool — more at marine

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing marsh

• marsh elder
• marsh gas
• marsh hawk
• marsh hen
• marsh mallow
• marsh marigold
• marsh pink
• salt marsh

Kids Definition

marsh

noun

ˈmärsh 

: an area of soft wet land usually overgrown by grasses and sedges

marshy

ˈmär-shē

adjective

Biographical Definition

Marsh

biographical name

ˈmärsh 

Dame (Edith) Ngaio ˈnī-(ˌ)ō  1899–1982 New Zealand writer