moraine

noun

mo·​raine mə-ˈrān How to pronounce moraine (audio)
: an accumulation of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier
morainal
mə-ˈrā-nᵊl How to pronounce moraine (audio)
adjective
morainic
mə-ˈrā-nik How to pronounce moraine (audio)
adjective

Examples of moraine in a Sentence

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.
Expect lakes, moraines, river valleys, prairies, and thick forests. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026 Tenuously held back by moraines – the jumble of rock and sediment deposited by glaciers at their edges – or dammed by glacier ice, these lakes are anything but stable. — Dan McGrath, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 Glacial outburst floods are also possible if water overwhelms natural dams created by moraines, the rock and debris left behind as a glacier moves or retreats. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025 For both amateur and professional geologists, the trail offers a close-up look at moraines, drumlins, eskers, erratics, kettles, kames and other glacial relics. — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moraine

Word History

Etymology

French, from French dialect (Savoy) morêna

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moraine was in 1783

Rhymes for moraine

See All Rhymes for moraine

Browse Nearby Words

morainal
moraine
morainic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

moraine

noun
mo·​raine mə-ˈrān How to pronounce moraine (audio)
: a pile of earth and stones carried and deposited by a glacier

More from Merriam-Webster on moraine

Nglish: Translation of moraine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moraine

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