noun
river
RIV-ur/ˈrɪvər/
A large natural stream flowing toward another body of water.
The wide river winds between grassy banks and enters a lake.
Etymology
Old French riviere could name both a river and its bank. The underlying shift was from the shore or riverbank to the stream flowing between the banks: the water took its name from its edges.
In context
the mouth of a river is where the river empties out into the ocean or another body of water
More examples
- The river overflowed after three days of rain.
- Two rivers meet just beyond the old mill.
- We followed the river upstream until sunset.
Forms
river · rivers
Similar words
- stream
- Often suggests a smaller waterway than a river.
- watercourse
- A more technical term including channels smaller than rivers.