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

We were down by the beach, and he said, “They want me to shoot another ending.”

From Los Angeles Times

We love to hang out at the beach all day, hit the pool, and explore the local towns.

From Los Angeles Times

After days spent combing the bars and beaches, Mr Zende say the team received confirmation that Sobhraj was indeed in Goa.

From BBC

"Assumption has one of the longest beaches in Seychelles, which is probably one of the most important green turtle nesting beaches in our country," says conservation campaigner Lucie Harter.

From BBC

Swimmers are disappointed that they can not get into the water as bathing alerts have come into effect on two north coast beaches.

From BBC

Related Words

• coast 
• shore 
• waterfront