noun

loch

An inlet of the sea, especially in Scotland.

The tide carries fishing boats into the loch on Scotland's coast.

Etymology

The Gaelic water-name covers inland lakes and arms of the sea. The sea-inlet sense retains that broader use for an enclosed or partly enclosed stretch of water.

More examples

  • Seals gather near the mouth of the loch.
  • The ferry crosses the sea loch twice a day.
  • These coastal lochs offer sheltered anchorages for sailboats.

Forms

loch · lochs

Similar words

inlet
A broader term, not limited to Scotland or its geography.
fjord
Specifically a deep, steep-sided sea inlet carved by glaciers.