noun / verb

tide

TYDE/taɪd/

The periodic rise and fall of coastal water.

The rising tide slowly covers the rocks along the shore.

Two matched coastal views show the same rocky shore and wooden pier at low and high water, linked by two small curved arrows forming a repeating cycle.

Etymology

Originally a portion of time, tide probably acquired its sea sense through the idea of a fixed time, especially high water. The name then covered the sea’s rise and fall.

In context

Soft Edwardian Tales84:02

So let the tide come in. Let the boat swing gently to face it. Let the lamps glow warm in the windows up the hill, and the wood smoke rise

The Slow Train to Wend | A Cozy Edwardian Sleep Story

More examples

At low tide, we can walk to the island.
High tide leaves only a narrow strip of beach.
Local tide charts help boaters plan their trips.

Forms

tide · tides · tided · tiding

tidal adjective — Related to or caused by tides.