gorge

¹ American  

[gawrj] / gɔrdʒ /

noun

1. a narrow cleft with steep, rocky walls, especially one through which a stream runs.

   Synonyms:

   gap, notch, ravine, defile

2. a small canyon.

3. a gluttonous meal.

4. something that is swallowed; contents of the stomach.

5. an obstructing mass.

   an ice gorge.

6. the seam formed at the point where the lapel meets the collar of a jacket or coat.

7. Fortification. the rear entrance or part of a bastion or similar outwork.

8. Also called gorge hook.  a primitive type of fishhook consisting of a piece of stone or bone with sharpened ends and a hole or groove in the center for fastening a line.

9. the throat; gullet.

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verb (used with object)

gorges, present (3rd person singular) gorged, past participle, past gorging present participle

1. to stuff with food (usually used reflexively or passively).

   He gorged himself. They were gorged.

   Synonyms:

   fill, cram, glut

2. to swallow, especially greedily.

   Synonyms:

   gobble, gulp, bolt, devour

3. to choke up (usually used passively).

verb (used without object)

gorges, present (3rd person singular) gorged, past participle, past gorging present participle

1. to eat greedily.

idioms

1. make one's gorge rise, to evoke violent anger or strong disgust.

   The cruelty of war made his gorge rise.

gorge ² American  

[gawrj] / gɔrdʒ /

noun

Heraldry.

1. gurge.

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gorge British  

/ ɡɔːdʒ /

noun

1. a deep ravine, esp one through which a river runs

2. the contents of the stomach

3. feelings of disgust or resentment (esp in the phrase one's gorge rises )

4. an obstructing mass

   an ice gorge

5. fortifications

   1. a narrow rear entrance to a work

   2. the narrow part of a bastion or outwork

6. archaic the throat or gullet

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verb

1. (intr) falconry (of hawks) to eat until the crop is completely full

2. to swallow (food) ravenously

3. (tr) to stuff (oneself) with food

gorge Scientific  

/ gôrj /

1. A deep, narrow valley with steep rocky sides, often with a stream flowing through it. Gorges are smaller and narrower than canyons and are often a part of a canyon.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• gorger
  noun
• gorgeable
  adjective
• gorgedly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• gorging
  present
• gorged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• gorge
  simple
• gorges
  simple
• have gorged
  perfect
• has gorged
  perfect
• are gorging
  progressive
• am gorging
  progressive
• is gorging
  progressive
• have been gorging
  perfect progressive
• has been gorging
  perfect progressive

Past

• gorged
  simple
• had gorged
  perfect
• was gorging
  progressive
• were gorging
  progressive
• had been gorging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will gorge
  simple
• will have gorged
  perfect
• will be gorging
  progressive
• will have been gorging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of gorge

First recorded in 1325–75; (verb) Middle English, from Old French gorger, derivative of gorge “throat,” from unattested Vulgar Latin gorga, akin to Latin gurguliō “gullet, throat,” gurges “whirlpool, eddy”

Explanation

A gorge is a very deep crevice between two mountains or hills. Gorges are formed by rivers running through and eroding rock over a very long period of time. The Latin root of gorge means "throat," leading to both the "narrow passage" meaning and the French gorgier, "to swallow," which influenced the verb version of gorge, "to overeat." You may love to gorge on ice cream, but the stomachache afterward won't be very pleasant. To remember the "canyon" meaning, think of the famous upstate New York bumper sticker, “Ithaca is gorges.” It's a play on gorgeous, meaning beautiful, and the beautiful ravines in the area.

Example Sentences

For example, Olduvai Gorge Bed in Tanzania has been described as freshwater woodland and grassland, while the Upper Bed reflects drier woodlands and marshy areas.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2026

The pair, who met in eighth grade, had moved to Summersville, about an hour southwest, where businesses cater to people visiting the New River Gorge and other outdoor destinations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Many scenic spots and routes in the world-famous Taroko Gorge National Park are still shut after the quake.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

One of the people impacted by Lilith Fair was a 10-year-old Brandi Carlisle, who was at the front of the line for that first show at the Gorge Amphitheatre in 1997.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

With everything in a muddle, the Duchess of Cheddar Gorge and I were rushed off our feet.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• canyon
• chasm
• crevasse
• ravine