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
Take these precautions during water activities Swimmers, particularly those in southern states and warm coastal waters, should expect a minimal risk of contracting a pathogen in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, brackish waters and hot springs.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Water is a main attraction at most Florida destinations, and with five waterslides, four pools, a lazy river, and access to a secluded private island, Coconut Point more than has that covered.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
The Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, the predecessor of the Pennsylvania Railroad, wanted to shorten the travel time from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh from three to four weeks by Conestoga wagon to three to four days by rail, canal and river.
—William E. Watson, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
August 9: Full Sturgeon Moon August’s full moon is the Sturgeon Moon, a name taken from the ancient fish that was once plentiful in the lakes and rivers of the United States late summer.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 31 July 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.
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Water is a main attraction at most Florida destinations, and with five waterslides, four pools, a lazy river, and access to a secluded private island, Coconut Point more than has that covered.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
The Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, the predecessor of the Pennsylvania Railroad, wanted to shorten the travel time from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh from three to four weeks by Conestoga wagon to three to four days by rail, canal and river.
—William E. Watson, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
August 9: Full Sturgeon Moon August’s full moon is the Sturgeon Moon, a name taken from the ancient fish that was once plentiful in the lakes and rivers of the United States late summer.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for river
Cite this Entry
“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river. Accessed 6 Aug. 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