estuary

noun

ˈes-chə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce estuary (audio)
Definition of estuarynext
as in bay
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline the city sits on the shores of a deep estuary where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of estuary Isla Jesucita provides secluded coves, tropical forest and expansive views across the estuary. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026 Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana Coast. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Nicknamed the Emerald Coast, this land has miles of golden-sand beach on one side, mangrove estuaries, evergreen rainforest, and Sierra Madre mountains on the other. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 Murrells Inlet MarshWalk The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk follows a saltwater estuary for half a mile. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for estuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuary
  1. bay
  2. firth
Noun
  • Certain roads — such as Highway 37, which connects Marin County to Napa County on the bay shoreline — as well as parts of Highway 101 and coastal Highway 1 are all at risk for flooding.
    — Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The facility contains a dedicated high-bay workspace and chemical laboratories.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bay
Noun
  • After playing one more hole, the twelfth, along the firth, the course makes a turn inland for the duration of the round.
    — Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bleary-eyed coverage that kicks off before sunrise in the States, with gusts off the firth and cut lines that can swallow a top 10 in an hour.
    — Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Definition of firth

Browse Nearby Words

estuaries
estuary
esurient
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Estuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estuary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on estuary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about estuary

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