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

The maps found rivers, estuaries and other waterways that had non-native species, and looked at where those waterways mingled with pristine areas because of flooding from storm surge, high tides and inland flooding. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024

Families with kids will appreciate the children's programming and facilities that comprise water slides and a floating river, among many others. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2024

The unseasonable temperatures have various impacts, including the risk of river flooding as ice melts. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act would ratify an agreement reached after nearly six decades of negotiation and litigation over portions of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers and groundwater. —Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 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

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"