shoreline

noun

shore·​line ˈshȯr-ˌlīn How to pronounce shoreline (audio)
Synonyms of shorelinenext
1
: the line where a body of water and the shore meet
2
: the strip of land along the shoreline

Examples of shoreline in a Sentence

The road runs along the shoreline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials said the search operations, conducted by multiple agencies, were focused on the water and shoreline. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 By the mid-18th century, this narrow strip of shoreline had become one of the most important commercial centers in the Atlantic world. — R. Grant Gilmore Iii, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 At Chimney Bluffs State Park, visitors can hike to see striking clay formations along the Lake Ontario shoreline. — Taryn White, USA Today, 29 June 2026 With wraparound seating beneath both open sky and shaded canopy, guests can take in sweeping views from every angle—Key West’s colorful shoreline on one side, uninterrupted blue water on the other. — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoreline

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoreline was in 1852

Rhymes for shoreline

See All Rhymes for shoreline

Browse Nearby Words

shoreless
shoreline
Shoreline
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoreline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoreline. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shoreline

noun
shore·​line -ˌlīn How to pronounce shoreline (audio)
: the line where a body of water touches the shore

Geographical Definition

Shoreline

geographical name

Shore·​line ˈshȯr-ˌlīn How to pronounce Shoreline (audio)
city in west central Washington on Puget Sound north of Seattle population 53,007

More from Merriam-Webster on shoreline

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shoreline

Nglish: Translation of shoreline for Spanish Speakers

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