fiord

1 of 2

noun (1)

less common spelling of fjord

: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
the fjords of Norway

fjord

2 of 2

noun (2)

fē-ˈȯrd How to pronounce fjord (audio) ˈfē-ˌȯrd How to pronounce fjord (audio)
ˈfyȯrd
variants or less commonly fiord
: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
the fjords of Norway

Illustration of fjord

Illustration of fjord

Synonyms of fiord

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Noun (2)

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Examples of fiord in a Sentence

Noun (2) a cruise through the breathtaking fjords along the coast of Norway
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Clients are helicoptered into a deep fiord where a private cruise transports them to a remote island. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026 The South Island is renowned for its spectacular natural scenery, from the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park to the fiords and mountains in the Southern Alps. — Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
Cruise operators are being asked to scale back trips through certain fjords, or narrow coastal waterways surrounded by steep terrain, after residents of Greenland raised concerns about the impact of ships on local communities and the environment. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Its a landscape of mountains, glaciers, fjords, tundra and sea ice. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fiord

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Norwegian fjord, from Old Norse fjǫrthr — more at ford

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiord was in 1674

Browse Nearby Words

FIO
fiord
fior dell'alpi
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fiord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiord. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fiord

variant of fjord

More from Merriam-Webster on fiord

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fiord

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