often attributive
1
a
: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume
b
2
a
: something resembling a river
a river of lava
b
rivers plural
: large or overwhelming quantities
drank rivers of coffee
Examples of river in a Sentence
The raft is too small to use on this part of the river.
Rivers of mud flowed down the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web
The competition always occurs during the peak of Alaska’s winter, requiring dogs and mushers — the drivers of the sled — to travel through frozen rivers, mountains and blizzards, according to the race's website.
—
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
After a brief pandemic slowdown, river lines are back in growth mode.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025
The preserve features a stunning natural pool and grotto formed by the collapse of an underground river dome due to erosion thousands of years ago.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for river
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.
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
After a brief pandemic slowdown, river lines are back in growth mode.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025
The preserve features a stunning natural pool and grotto formed by the collapse of an underground river dome due to erosion thousands of years ago.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for river
Articles Related to river
Cite this Entry
“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
river
noun
riv·er
ˈriv-ər 
1
: a natural stream of water larger than a brook or creek
2
: a large stream or flow
the jet stream is a river of air
Etymology
Middle English rivere "river," from early French rivere (same meaning), derived from Latin riparius "related to or located on the bank of a river," from ripa "shore"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share