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
For almost 20 years, the village of Bath has hosted the Original Redneck Fishing Tournament, an annual competition drawing people from all over the country and the world to remove thousands of pounds of large silver fish from the river.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
In a few short years, my plaintive, pleading tone would seem awkward and apologetic, compared to the confrontational calls on campuses for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, or Kneecap’s concert criticisms.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Untreated water sources like lakes and rivers can contain harmful bacteria or parasites, leading to illness.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Researchers in Germany and Poland added microplastics to water samples taken from the Oder, a major European river.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for river
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
In a few short years, my plaintive, pleading tone would seem awkward and apologetic, compared to the confrontational calls on campuses for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, or Kneecap’s concert criticisms.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Untreated water sources like lakes and rivers can contain harmful bacteria or parasites, leading to illness.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Researchers in Germany and Poland added microplastics to water samples taken from the Oder, a major European river.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 26 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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"
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