creek

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈkrēk  ˈkrik 

1

: a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river

2

chiefly British : a small inlet or bay narrower and extending farther inland than a cove

3

archaic : a narrow or winding passage

Creek

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈkrēk 

1

plural Creek or Creeks : a member of any of a group of Indigenous American peoples that formed a confederacy in Georgia and eastern Alabama in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and that were forcibly removed to Indian Territory in 1836 to 1840

2

a

plural Creek or Creeks : a member of the people who comprised the nucleus of the Creek confederacy : muscogee sense 1

b

: the Muskogean language of this people : muscogee sense 2

Note: Creek is the name by which the Muscogee people were known to English settlers prior to their forcible removal to Indian Territory. Present-day members of this nation live under the name Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Phrases

up the creek

: in a difficult or perplexing situation

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• brook

Examples of creek in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The children waded in the creek.

The coast is dotted with tiny creeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s a long stretch of pawpaw somewhere along the banks of Fall Creek. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Aug. 2025

Evacuation warnings were extended past the Calistoga Ranch resort and then zones south of James Creek Road. —The Press Democrat, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025

Noun

Robbie Shoults, chef/owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall, Texas. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025

In timber stands, larger dead and down material remained receptive and contributed to fire spread where aligned with topography, particularly at the confluence of Dinky Creek and Bear Creek on the northern flank. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English crike, creke, from Old Norse -kriki bend

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for creek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

creek

1 of 2 noun

ˈkrēk  ˈkrik 

1

chiefly British : a small narrow inlet or bay

2

: a stream of water usually smaller than a river

Creek

2 of 2 noun

ˈkrēk 

: a member of an Indigenous people originally of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida

also : their language