beach

¹

[beech]

noun

1. an expanse of sand or pebbles along a shore.

2. the part of the shore of an ocean, sea, large river, lake, etc., washed by the tide or waves.

   Synonyms: littoral, strand, seashore, coast

3. the area adjacent to a seashore.

   We're vacationing at the beach.

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical.,  to haul or run onto a beach.

   We beached the ship to save it.

2. to make inoperative or unemployed.

   Synonyms: ground

Beach

²

[beech]

noun

1. Alfred Ely, 1826–96, U.S. editor, publisher, and inventor.

2. Amy Marcey Cheney 1867–1944, U.S. composer and pianist.

3. Moses Yale, 1800–68, U.S. newspaper publisher.

4. Rex Ellingwood 1877–1949, U.S. novelist and short-story writer.

5. Sylvia Woodbridge, 1887–1962, U.S. bookseller and publisher in France.

beach

/ biːtʃ /

noun

1. an extensive area of sand or shingle sloping down to a sea or lake, esp the area between the high- and low-water marks on a seacoast

verb

1. to run or haul (a boat) onto a beach

beach

1. The area of accumulated sand, stone, or gravel deposited along a shore by the action of waves and tides. Beaches usually slope gently toward the body of water they border and have a concave shape. They extend landward from the low water line to the point where there is a distinct change in material (as in a line of vegetation) or in land features (as in a cliff).

Other Word Forms

• beachless adjective
• unbeached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

First recorded in 1525–35; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of beach¹

C16: perhaps related to Old English bæce river, _beck ²

Synonym Study

See shore ¹.

Example Sentences

"It's a cliche, but we love it here" she added, crediting the friendly people, the beach and their favourite cafe Marco's, which also featured in the show.

Read more on BBC

She had enough beach towels to dry off the U.S.

Read more on MarketWatch

Almost daily there is some kind of social event I can join, whether it is visiting museums or attending concerts, going to the beach or hiking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She skipped her annual beach vacation to Topsail Island in North Carolina this summer, but says she has few places left to cut back.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hodgson was supposed to meet his parents at the beach the day he died but never showed up, according to the coroner’s report.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coast 
• shore 
• waterfront