lagoon
Americannoun
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an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes.
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Also lagune any small, pondlike body of water, especially one connected with a larger body of water.
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an artificial pool for storage and treatment of polluted or excessively hot sewage, industrial waste, etc.
noun
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a body of water cut off from the open sea by coral reefs or sand bars
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any small body of water, esp one adjoining a larger one
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A shallow body of salt water close to the sea but separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, or by a coral reef.
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A shallow pond or lake close to a larger lake or river but separated from it by a barrier such as a levee.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of lagoon
1605–15; earlier laguna (singular), lagune (plural) < Italian < Latin lacūna (singular), lacūnae (plural) “ditch, pool,” akin to lacus basin, lake 1; see lacuna
Explanation
If you are snorkeling off the coast of Florida in water cut off from the main ocean, you are likely in a lagoon — a body of water separated from the main ocean. If you’re familiar with the 60s TV show “Gilligan’s Island,” you probably already know what a lagoon is. Much of the show’s action took place at the lagoon, where the lovable castaways spent their time hanging around and planning how to be rescued. A lagoon is a good place for castaways to congregate because it’s shallow and separated from the ocean by a natural barrier, which means it’s protected from the rough waters of the ocean and offers easier access for swimming and fishing. If you’re ever stranded on a deserted island, you too would probably choose to spend your time at the lagoon, staring into the distance and watching for approaching ships.
Vocabulary lists containing lagoon
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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Physical Geography - High School
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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.
In recent years, toxic black dye had been put into the water at the "Blue Lagoon" to put people off swimming.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
He said another branch of Blue Lagoon on Argyle Street was closed because of smoke damage, while an office on the third floor of the Gordon Street building had also been wrecked in the blaze.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” starred a boyfriend from the Black Lagoon who seduced voters into awarding it best picture and best director in 2018.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026
The revamp began with construction of three imposing new bridges spanning the Ebrie Lagoon and several road interchanges.
From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025
Thorn ran the few toadstools toward the Spector Lagoon, and as she entered through the curtain of the willows surrounding the area, what looked like hundreds of red eyes opened and blinked at once.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
