river

noun

riv·​er ˈri-vər How to pronounce river (audio)
Synonyms of rivernext
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
see also:
sell down the river 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
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.
Rains have stopped, at least temporarily, but rivers were still rising. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 California boaters will now face a higher fee to use the state’s lakes, rivers and other waterways as officials expand their efforts to fight invasive golden mussels. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The name of the restaurant refers to the enormous river/estuary bordering Argentina. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 For the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Virginia’s rivers, wetlands and landscapes are living connections to our ancestors and to the generations who will come after us. — Dana Adkins, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for river

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of river was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing river

Rhymes for river

See All Rhymes for river

Browse Nearby Words

riven
river
river's mouth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

river

noun
riv·​er ˈriv-ər How to pronounce river (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on river

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for river

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river

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