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 a photo shared by officials, the boat appears to have crashed in an inlet tucked behind a hill, and would be difficult to see from ground level or on the main river. —Mitchell Willetts, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025

This eco-horror story about birds launching a shrieking assault on the humans below was partly shot around scenic Bodega Bay, an inlet along the North California coast. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Malta’s inlets also found big-screen stardom in Troy. —AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025

Along with the indigenous groups, old maps indicate the Boca Raton inlet served as a pirate refuge. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inlet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

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