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

These chemicals also threaten the water when products containing them are dumped onto the ground or into lakes and rivers. PFAS have been found in nearly half of the nation's tap water. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

The negotiators are working out how to divide cuts to water supplies as the river’s flows shrink and precipitation becomes less reliable. —Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025

The annual cleanup, coordinated by Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division, draws attention to the river’s environmental importance and helps to keep the waterway safe and clean for animals and people who enjoy swimming and water sports. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

In sum: Mudslides (when earth or rock moves downhill propelled by gravity), landslides (destabilized land caused by gradual erosion or water accumulation) and mudflows (rivers of mud) are also usually excluded from standard homeowners’ policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute. —Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for river

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• shiver
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

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"