lagoon

American  

[luh-goon] / ləˈgun /

noun

• lagoons
  plural

1. an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes.

2. Also lagune any small, pondlike body of water, especially one connected with a larger body of water.

3. an artificial pool for storage and treatment of polluted or excessively hot sewage, industrial waste, etc.

---

lagoon British  

/ ləˈɡuːn /

noun

1. a body of water cut off from the open sea by coral reefs or sand bars

2. any small body of water, esp one adjoining a larger one

---

lagoon Scientific  

/ lə-go̅o̅n′ /

1. A shallow body of salt water close to the sea but separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, or by a coral reef.

2. A shallow pond or lake close to a larger lake or river but separated from it by a barrier such as a levee.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lagoonal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lagoons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lagoon

1605–15; earlier laguna (singular), lagune (plural) < Italian < Latin lacūna (singular), lacūnae (plural) “ditch, pool,” akin to lacus basin, lake ¹; see lacuna

Explanation

If you are snorkeling off the coast of Florida in water cut off from the main ocean, you are likely in a lagoon — a body of water separated from the main ocean. If you’re familiar with the 60s TV show “Gilligan’s Island,” you probably already know what a lagoon is. Much of the show’s action took place at the lagoon, where the lovable castaways spent their time hanging around and planning how to be rescued. A lagoon is a good place for castaways to congregate because it’s shallow and separated from the ocean by a natural barrier, which means it’s protected from the rough waters of the ocean and offers easier access for swimming and fishing. If you’re ever stranded on a deserted island, you too would probably choose to spend your time at the lagoon, staring into the distance and watching for approaching ships.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lagoon lagoons

Protesters say the estimated $4.6-billion luxury hotel development slated for construction in Zvernec poses a risk to the environment and to a nearby lagoon critical to migrating birds.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026

As someone who grew up in Murcia and knew the lagoon well, Salazar-Ortuño was shocked by the devastation.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

Flamingoes feed in a lagoon on the thin peninsula—protesters call the demonstrations the flamingo revolution—and sheep graze next to locals swimming in the ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

Many were repatriated to the lagoon at the mouth of the creek in a moving ceremony last June.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

She ran straight toward the lagoon, with the brother following closely behind, screaming for her to come back.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

According to Cedar Point, as all of this verbiage is, Millennium Force “shoots riders over hills, past lagoons and through tunnels, all at unthinkable speeds.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

And local deliberations rarely compare the impact of solar farms to common agricultural practices, which can lead to runoff from fertilizers and herbicides, for example, or waste lagoons from concentrated animal feeding operations.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2026

It’s meticulously organized perfection: Its various neighborhoods, gated communities, parks, and street are pristine and feature shallow lagoons and golf courses, palm trees and hibiscus, blue skies and backyard swimming pools.

From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2025

A few years ago, those boats were filled with tourists – many from China – drawn to Palau's lagoons and limestone caves.

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025

It looks out over the lagoons and the Wooded Island, now a wild and tangled place that perhaps would make Olmsted smile—though no doubt he would find features to criticize.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• bayou
• pond
• pool