delta

¹

[del-tuh]

noun

1. the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet (Δ, δ).

2. the consonant sound represented by this letter.

3. the fourth in a series of items.

4. anything triangular, like the Greek capital delta (Δ).

5. Mathematics.,  an incremental change in a variable, as Δ or δ.

6. a nearly flat plain of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth of a river, often, though not necessarily, triangular.

   the Nile delta.

7. Also Delta a word used in communications to represent the letter D.

8. Astronomy.,  Delta, a star that is usually the fourth brightest of a constellation.

   The fourth brightest star in the Southern Cross is Delta Crucis.

Delta

²

[del-tuh]

noun

Military.

1. the NATO name for a class of nuclear-powered submarines armed with multiple-warhead ballistic missiles, including those designed to strike military and industrial installations: first produced for the Soviet Navy in the 1970s; in service with the Russian Navy since 1992.

Delta

¹

/ ˈdɛltə /

noun

1. (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) usually the fourth brightest star in a constellation

2. any of a group of US launch vehicles used to put unmanned satellites into orbit

3. communications a code word for the letter d

Delta

²

/ ˈdɛltə /

noun

1. a state of Nigeria, on the Niger river delta on the Gulf of Guinea. Capital: Asaba. Pop: 4 098 391 (2006). Area: 17 698 sq km (6833 sq miles)

delta

³

/ dɛlˈteɪɪk, ˈdɛltə /

noun

1. the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet (Δ, δ), a consonant transliterated as d

2. an object resembling a capital delta in shape

3. (capital when part of name) the flat alluvial area at the mouth of some rivers where the mainstream splits up into several distributaries

   the Mississippi Delta

4. maths a finite increment in a variable

delta

1. A usually triangular mass of sediment, especially silt and sand, deposited at the mouth of a river. Deltas form when a river flows into a body of standing water, such as a sea or lake, and deposits large quantities of sediment. They are usually crossed by numerous streams and channels and have exposed as well as submerged areas.

Other Word Forms

• deltaic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delta¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English delta, deltha, from Latin delta, from Greek délta; akin to Hebrew dāleth

Word History and Origins

Origin of delta¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew dāleth

Example Sentences

At Martín García Island, Argentina, a series of crags amid the Río de la Plata delta, she tries to make sense of crooked crosses cast from a single mold.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Perched on a delta where the Pearl River meets the South China Sea, it is used to typhoons, and it was prepared for this one.

Read more on BBC

That means they are also imperiling some of the world’s most important food-producing lowlands in the Nile and Mekong deltas and cities from Shanghai to New York.

Read more on Salon

Red Bull withdrew that because Russell was correctly following the yellow-flag delta times on his dashboard, which meant he could not keep the required 10 car lengths to the safety car.

Read more on BBC

Opponents, including agencies in the delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• box 
• cavity 
• door 
• entrance 
• gate 
• rim