inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river

also : creek

b

: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon

2

: a way of entering

especially : an opening for intake

Synonyms

• arm
• bay
• bight
• cove
• creek [chiefly British]
• embayment
• estuary
• firth
• fjord
• fiord
• gulf
• loch [Scottish]

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets.

went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast

Recent Examples on the Web

In low tide, the reef seems to rise from the ocean, and suddenly, lagoons, inlets, waterfalls, and mangroves materialize. —Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2024

Traverse City — Sits on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2024

Wood fishing boats bob in quiet inlets where my parents once spent weekends learning to water-ski. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Nov. 2024

What is reverse storm surge? Storm surge happens as a tropical storm or hurricane pushes water toward the coast, triggering catastrophic flooding along the shore and in bays and inlets. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a small or narrow bay

2

: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət 

: the upper opening of a bodily cavity

especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim