river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər 

often attributive

1

a

: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume

b

: watercourse

2

a

: something resembling a river

a river of lava

b

rivers plural : large or overwhelming quantities

drank rivers of coffee

Phrases

up the river

: to or in prison

was sent up the river

Examples of river in a Sentence

The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.

Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anywhere that is well away from rivers polluting the sea. —Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Apr. 2024

Because Porto Praia has no road access and is normally reachable only by river, the drought meant that residents had to walk for kilometers along the dry riverbed to reach their homes. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

Kayakers, invited by Zeller to bring the river to life, paddled in circles as guests in business attire and neon vests munched hors d’oeuvres and wandered the empty concrete decks above them. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024

With France on its highest level of security alert amid geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East, organizers behind the Paris Olympics are still going ahead with ambitious plans to host the opening ceremony along the Seine river on July 26. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024

Some growers said the answer to the groundwater problem lies partly in capturing and storing more water from rivers when flows are available. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Instead, the ceremony will be held in the heart of the city along the Seine, the river that runs through the city. —The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024

The father-daughter duo spent time near a river, with Hemsworth smiling for a selfie in one sweet picture. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

As water quality improved, native fish, wildlife and vegetation have returned to the river. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing river

• atmospheric river
• down the river
• mouth of the river
• river blindness
• river dolphin
• river duck
• river horse
• river mouth
• river otter
• river's mouth
• sell down the river
• up the river

Kids Definition

river

noun

riv·​er ˈriv-ər 

1

: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek

2

: a large stream or flow

the jet stream is a river of air

Etymology

Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"