lagoon
Americannoun
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an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes.
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Also lagune any small, pondlike body of water, especially one connected with a larger body of water.
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an artificial pool for storage and treatment of polluted or excessively hot sewage, industrial waste, etc.
noun
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a body of water cut off from the open sea by coral reefs or sand bars
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any small body of water, esp one adjoining a larger one
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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.
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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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing lagoon
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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Physical Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Alessandro Varese, who owns the well-known Blue Lagoon chip shop on Gordon Street and neighbouring Sexy Coffee, said both had been "completely destroyed".
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” starred a boyfriend from the Black Lagoon who seduced voters into awarding it best picture and best director in 2018.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026
The revamp began with construction of three imposing new bridges spanning the Ebrie Lagoon and several road interchanges.
From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025
Cyanobacterial-laden waters have often been released down the St. Lucie River from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon.
From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2025
They ran through the Spector Lagoon, where ghosts were yawning awake and chatting with one another.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
