beach

¹

[beech]

noun

1. an expanse of sand or pebbles along a shore.

2. the part of the shore of an ocean, sea, large river, lake, etc., washed by the tide or waves.

   Synonyms: littoral, strand, seashore, coast

3. the area adjacent to a seashore.

   We're vacationing at the beach.

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical.,  to haul or run onto a beach.

   We beached the ship to save it.

2. to make inoperative or unemployed.

   Synonyms: ground

Beach

²

[beech]

noun

1. Alfred Ely, 1826–96, U.S. editor, publisher, and inventor.

2. Amy Marcey Cheney 1867–1944, U.S. composer and pianist.

3. Moses Yale, 1800–68, U.S. newspaper publisher.

4. Rex Ellingwood 1877–1949, U.S. novelist and short-story writer.

5. Sylvia Woodbridge, 1887–1962, U.S. bookseller and publisher in France.

beach

/ biːtʃ /

noun

1. an extensive area of sand or shingle sloping down to a sea or lake, esp the area between the high- and low-water marks on a seacoast

verb

1. to run or haul (a boat) onto a beach

beach

1. The area of accumulated sand, stone, or gravel deposited along a shore by the action of waves and tides. Beaches usually slope gently toward the body of water they border and have a concave shape. They extend landward from the low water line to the point where there is a distinct change in material (as in a line of vegetation) or in land features (as in a cliff).

Other Word Forms

• beachless adjective
• unbeached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

First recorded in 1525–35; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

C16: perhaps related to Old English bæce river, _beck ²

Synonym Study

See shore ¹.

Example Sentences

He got a record $5 million for winning and I worry he might blow it all at the beach.

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He held the beach gate’s door and insisted on waiting with me for my car to the airport.

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Now, instead of standing 20 deep at a ticker, everyone is hunched over their own devices, getting quotes as well as analysis and advice, trading on their lunch hour or on a beach vacation.

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Local officials issued evacuation orders for parts of the Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands known for their beaches and charming towns that are popular with tourists.

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We were both whiling away the pandemic in Amagansett—a tiny Long Island beach town most people pass through on their way to Montauk—and I promised to teach her how to surf.

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Related Words

• coast 
• shore 
• waterfront