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  • marsh
    marsh
    noun
    a tract of low wet land, often treeless and periodically inundated, generally characterized by a growth of grasses, sedges, cattails, and rushes.
  • Marsh
    Marsh
    noun
    Dame (Edith) Ngaio 1899–1982, New Zealand writer of detective novels.
Synonyms

marsh

1 American  
[mahrsh] / mɑrʃ /

noun

  1. a tract of low wet land, often treeless and periodically inundated, generally characterized by a growth of grasses, sedges, cattails, and rushes.

    Synonyms:
    wetland, marshland, fen, bog, swamp

Marsh 2 American  
[mahrsh] / mɑrʃ /

noun

  1. Dame (Edith) Ngaio 1899–1982, New Zealand writer of detective novels.

  2. Reginald, 1898–1954, U.S. painter and illustrator.


marsh 1 British  
/ mɑːʃ /

noun

  1. low poorly drained land that is sometimes flooded and often lies at the edge of lakes, streams, etc Compare swamp

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Marsh 2 British  
/ mɑːʃ /

noun

  1. Dame ( Edith ) Ngaio (ˈnaɪəʊ). 1899–1981, New Zealand crime writer, living in Britain (from 1928). Her many detective novels include Final Curtain (1947) and Last Ditch (1977)

  2. Rodney ( William ). born 1947, Australian cricketer: a wicketkeeper, he took 355 dismissals in 96 test matches (1970–84)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

marsh Scientific  
/ märsh /
  1. An area of low-lying wetland in which the level of water is generally shallow and often fluctuating. The water may be either standing or slow-moving. The water in a marsh is also more or less neutral or alkaline, in contrast to the water in a bog, which is acidic. The environment of a marsh is in general well-oxygenated and nutrient-rich and allows a great variety of organisms to flourish. In contrast to a swamp, in which there is an abundance of woody plants, the plants in a marsh are mostly herbaceous. Reeds and rushes dominate the vegetation of marshes.

  2. See also salt marsh


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of marsh

before 900; Middle English mershe, Old English mer ( i ) sc (cognate with German Marsch ). See mere 2, -ish 1; cf. marais, marish, morass

Explanation

A marsh is an area in transition from land to water. It is a very bad idea to go walking in a marsh in your best shoes; try some fishing boots, or perhaps a boat. The word marsh comes from the old Dutch word mere, for sea, and it means land that is sea-ish… not sea, but sea-ish, like most of Holland. Marshes can be found often where a river empties into the sea, or along the side of a low, flooded river. Another word for marsh is swamp. If you’re in trouble or just want to be alone, a marsh is a great place to hide: no one will follow you. Just don’t forget your galoshes.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing marsh

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.

By email, Chopra wrote that he was glad that philanthropist Barnaby Marsh had introduced them in person.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

Waste was found more than 300 metres downstream from its Marsh Farm base.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Meanwhile, some insurers are requiring ships to use an Iran-approved route through the Strait of Hormuz as a condition of getting war-risk coverage, according to insurance broker Marsh.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Meanwhile, some insurers are requiring ships to use an Iran-approved route through the Strait of Hormuz as a condition of getting war-risk coverage, according to insurance broker Marsh.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Then I see them crouching behind some boxes, blanched in the fluorescents: Hunter Marsh and two friends.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson

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