river otter

noun

: any of various Old and New World otters (especially genera Lutra and Lontra)
especially : one (Lontra canadensis) of Alaska, Canada, and the conterminous U.S. found in aquatic environments from marine coastal regions to high mountains

Examples of river otter 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.
Young knew almost instantly the tracks belonged to a river otter. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026 The Detroit Zoo just announced the arrival of three North American river otter pups, and this is exactly the kind of news your day needed. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 On the smaller side, species like the river otter and mink can be found feasting on fish by the water’s edge, while lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of a wolverine roaming the tundra—and these are far from the only predators that call Katmai home. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Particularly the busy latrine of a North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). — Laura Baisas Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for river otter

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of river otter was in 1801

Rhymes for river otter

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Browse Nearby Words

river oak
river otter
river pear
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Cite this Entry

“River otter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river%20otter. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on river otter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river otter

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