intertidal

American  

[in-ter-tahyd-l] / ˌɪn tərˈtaɪd l /

adjective

1. of or relating to the littoral region that is above the low-water mark and below the high-water mark.

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intertidal British  

/ ˌɪntəˈtaɪdəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the zone of the shore between the high-water mark and low-water mark

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intertidal Scientific  

/ ĭn′tər-tīd′l /

1. Relating to the region between the high tide mark and the low tide mark.

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Etymology

Origin of intertidal

First recorded in 1880–85; inter- + tidal

Example Sentences

"However, the same cannot be said for intertidal systems" such as salt marshes and mudflats that line the coast and are exposed at low tide, he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Found in the Australian intertidal zone, the isopod also represents a completely new genus.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

More of the intertidal zone — where crabs, sculpin and sea stars hang out — will be exposed Thursday and Friday than any other time this year.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Because of this barrier, less sand can flow from the North Sea into the estuary, resulting in clearer water that fails to replenish the intertidal areas, thus causing them to erode.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

Age by age through gulfs of time at which imagination reels, life has been growing from a mere stirring in the intertidal slime towards freedom, power and consciousness.

From A Short History of the World by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)