estuary

noun

ˈes-chə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce estuary (audio)
Definition of estuarynext
as in bay
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline the city sits on the shores of a deep estuary where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of estuary The bay facing the western shore of Newfoundland is the mouth—the gaping estuary—of the Saint Lawrence, Newfoundland on the chart detached and apparently drifting out to sea. — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 The original measure, known as Executive Order 13508, was designed to improve protection and restoration efforts for the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Rising Tide Explorers leads ecotours of the mangrove islands, estuaries, and marshes that surround Marco Island. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 When these modern ships rotate in the turning basin – the nautical equivalent of a three-point turn – there is often less than 150 feet of clearance between each side of the estuary, according to the Port of Oakland. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuary
  1. bay
  2. firth
Noun
  • Farther south, head to the seaside village of La Parguera, a short boat ride from one of the island's three bioluminescent bays.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Annie Koury said she's lived in the area for more than 30 years and has never seen the bay flood like this — and that the city usually does more to protect the area.
    — Alys Martinez, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of bay
Noun
  • After playing one more hole, the twelfth, along the firth, the course makes a turn inland for the duration of the round.
    — Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bleary-eyed coverage that kicks off before sunrise in the States, with gusts off the firth and cut lines that can swallow a top 10 in an hour.
    — Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Definition of firth

Browse Nearby Words

estuaries
estuary
esurient
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Cite this Entry

“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estuary. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on estuary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about estuary

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