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• lake
  lake

  noun

  a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land.
• Lake
  Lake

  noun

  Simon, 1866–1945, U.S. engineer and naval architect.

lake

¹ American  

[layk] / leɪk /

noun

1. a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land.

2. any similar body or pool of other liquid, as oil.

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idioms

1. (go) jump in the lake, (used as an exclamation of dismissal or impatience.)

lake ² American  

[layk] / leɪk /

noun

1. any of various pigments prepared from animal, vegetable, or coal-tar coloring matters by chemical or other union with metallic compounds.

2. a red pigment prepared from lac or cochineal by combination with a metallic compound.

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Lake ³ American  

[layk] / leɪk /

noun

1. Simon, 1866–1945, U.S. engineer and naval architect.

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lake ¹ British  

/ leɪk /

noun

1. an expanse of water entirely surrounded by land and unconnected to the sea except by rivers or streams

2. anything resembling this

3. a surplus of a liquid commodity

   a wine lake

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lake ² British  

/ leɪk /

noun

1. a bright pigment used in textile dyeing and printing inks, produced by the combination of an organic colouring matter with an inorganic compound, usually a metallic salt, oxide, or hydroxide See also mordant

2. a red dye obtained by combining a metallic compound with cochineal

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lake Scientific  

/ lāk /

1. A large inland body of standing fresh or salt water. Lakes generally form in depressions, such as those created by glacial or volcanic action; they may also form when a section of a river becomes dammed or when a channel is isolated by a change in a river's course.

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Etymology

Origin of lake¹

before 1000; Middle English lak ( e ), lac ( e ), apparently a conflation of Old French lac, its source, Latin lacus (compare Greek lákkos, Old Irish loch, Old English, Old Saxon lagu sea, water) and Old English lacu stream, water course (compare leccan to moisten, modern dial. lake stream, channel; see leach ¹)

Origin of lake²

First recorded in 1610–20; variant of lac ¹

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Explanation

A lake is a large body of water that is surrounded by land. The lake's water can be fresh (like Lake Michigan) or, more rarely, salty (like the Great Salt Lake). A lake is generally accepted as being bigger than a "pond." Lake is also a type of pigment or dye that is made when a dye that can dissolve is mixed with a metallic salt or other binder that is incapable of being dissolved, rendering an insoluble pigment. Indigo lake, for example, is a blue pigment that was originally made from the woad plant but later from the indigo plant. Carmine or crimson lake, on the other hand, is made from crushed cochineal insects and is a red pigment.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lake Lake

Mountains surround a charming town next to a lake so big its Chinese name is “ear-shaped sea.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

After just four decades, the lake had dropped nearly 50 feet, doubled in salinity and shrunk to half its original volume.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

The researchers also investigated evidence of Earth's ancient magnetic field recorded in sediments deposited at the bottom of a lake.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

People would usually be able to take boats out onto the lake and an active model boat club is in the area.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

The sun was on his back earlier when he ran ahead of Abby and his parents, on his way to the lake.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

However, it is even more opportune given established number one Angus Gunn was left on the bench for San Jose Earthquakes's win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday after some criticism of recent performances.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Safety Quentin Lake and cornerback Trent McDuffie intercepted passes to foil a Justin Herbert-led offense that went into the game as the NFL’s lowest-scoring outfit and did little to foster reason for optimism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

The forest is home to one of the largest continuous areas of blanket bog in the Lake District and acts as a huge carbon store.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

With its scenic vistas and clear alpine waters, South Lake Tahoe long has been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, vacationers and wealthy Californians looking for a reprieve from city life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

He wrote an exception note to the Red Zone executive order, allowing them legal passage to Spirit Lake.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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Related Words

• basin
• lagoon
• pond
• pool
• reservoir

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