low tide

noun

1. the tide at the point of maximum ebb.
2. the time of low water.
3. the lowest point of decline of anything:

   His spirits were at low tide.

low tide

noun

1. the tide when it is at its lowest level or the time at which it reaches this
2. a lowest point

low tide

1. The tide at its lowest level at a particular time and place. The lowest tides reached under normal meteorological conditions (the spring tides ) take place when the Moon and Sun are directly aligned with respect to Earth. Low tides are less extreme when the Moon and Sun are at right angles (the neap tides ). Storms and other meteorological conditions can greatly affect the height of the tides as well.
2. See more at tide
3. The time at which a low tide occurs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of low tide¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Sandy Point, with its minuscule parking lot, is sprawling at low tide, a spit of sand that extends nearly as far as the eye can see.

From Washington Post

Though it was low tide, waves lapped against the base of the boulder wall fortifying Tony Ditty’s beachfront Oceanside home on a misty Wednesday morning.

From Voice of San Diego

At low tide, intertidal mussel beds provide a moist, cool habitat.

From Science News For Students

Then head out to hit surf breaks and, at low tide, a cave that leads to a secluded beach.

From Outside Online

Most reefs are in the shallow waters near the coast, and would be slicked with oil during low tides.

From Time

Her first book, the novel Low Tide, was published in 1985, when Eberstadt was 25.

From The Daily Beast

They climbed another dune, and came upon the great gray sea at low tide.

From Project Gutenberg

On the bottom of the bay, near low tide, we begin to find some sand produced by the grinding action.

From Project Gutenberg

The smell of wild thyme mingling with the salt of the low-tide seaweed conveyed stimulating fragrance.

From Project Gutenberg

They had dug some clams at the low tide in the forenoon and put them away, covered with wet seaweed.

From Project Gutenberg

"I would a great deal rather go across in a mail steamer at low tide than in any other way," said Rollo.

From Project Gutenberg