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estuarine

American  
[es-choo-uh-rahyn, -er-in] / ˈɛs tʃu əˌraɪn, -ər ɪn /

adjective

  1. formed in an estuary.

  2. found in estuaries.


estuarine British  
/ -rɪn, ˈɛstjʊəˌraɪn /

adjective

  1. formed or deposited in an estuary

    estuarine muds

  2. growing in, inhabiting, or found in an estuary

    an estuarine fauna

"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

Other Word Forms

  • interestuarine adjective
  • subestuarine adjective

Etymology

Origin of estuarine

First recorded in 1840–50; estuar(y) + -ine 1

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.

The estuarine crocodile, known in Australia as the saltwater crocodile, regularly moves between rivers and the open ocean, hunting wherever prey is available.

From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025

The beach is also home to several diverse habitats, including riparian, estuarine, coastal dune and marine.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Without available estuarine habitat, young fish may plunge into the saltwater before they’re ready, reducing their chances of survival.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2023

The saltwater, or estuarine, crocodile has lived for millions of years in Australia.

From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2022

Whether these are marine, lacustrine, or estuarine deposits, there is hardly sufficient evidence to show.

From Early Days in North Queensland by Palmer, Edward