noun
spit
A narrow strip of land projecting into water.
A narrow spit of sand stretches out into the bay.
Etymology
A narrow projecting strip of land resembles a long pointed roasting rod. The geographic sense transfers that slender shape to the coastline.
More examples
- We walk along the spit to its tip.
- The spit shelters a small lagoon from ocean waves.
- Two sandy spits extend from opposite sides of the bay.
Forms
spit · spits
Similar words
- peninsula
- Land almost surrounded by water, not necessarily narrow or sandy.
- sandbar
- A ridge of sand that need not connect to shore.