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
Officials are now pivoting to other parts of the river ahead of a rainy season that threatens to wash trash, and people, out to the ocean.
—
Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In a shocking but logical end to their brotherhood, Oz strangles Victor Aguilar to death, throws his ID in the river, and leaves his anonymous body to be found by the next passing stranger.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
The feeling of calmness is all-enveloping on this ship, which is part of the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet travelling languidly up and down Europe's great rivers.
—James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The river had been diverted to run the giant turbines to provide electricity to Siskiyou County and parts of southern Oregon for the first time in the early 20th century.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for river 
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Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In a shocking but logical end to their brotherhood, Oz strangles Victor Aguilar to death, throws his ID in the river, and leaves his anonymous body to be found by the next passing stranger.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
The feeling of calmness is all-enveloping on this ship, which is part of the Riverside Luxury Cruises fleet travelling languidly up and down Europe's great rivers.
—James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The river had been diverted to run the giant turbines to provide electricity to Siskiyou County and parts of southern Oregon for the first time in the early 20th century.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for river
Articles Related to river
Dictionary Entries Near river
Cite this Entry
“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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"
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