variants or less commonly fiord
: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
the fjords of Norway

Illustration of fjord

Illustration of fjord

Examples of fjord in a Sentence

a cruise through the breathtaking fjords along the coast of Norway
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each year, millions of travelers board cruise ships to explore the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and destinations as far afield as Alaska, Asia and the Norwegian fjords. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Getting far up the narrow fjords, however, is tricky. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025 Highlights of the journey include touring ice and lava caves, experiencing wild fjords, and staying in an arctic treehouse to view the Northern Lights. Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025 Top summer attractions for tourists are places for hiking, places to experience nature such as fjords and mountains, water activities, and beach visits, according to Visit Norway’s official site. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fjord

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian fjord, from Old Norse fjǫrthr — more at ford

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fjord was in 1674

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fjord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fjord. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fjord

noun
variants also fiord
fē-ˈȯrd
: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
Etymology

Norwegian

More from Merriam-Webster on fjord

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!