Loire

American  

[lwar] / lwar /

noun

1. a river in France, flowing NW and W into the Atlantic: the longest river in France. 625 miles (1,005 km) long.

2. a department in central France. 1,853 sq. mi. (4,800 sq. km). St.-Étienne.

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Loire British  

/ lwar /

noun

1. a department of E central France, in Rhône-Alpes region. Capital: St Étienne. Pop: 726 613 (2003 est). Area: 4799 sq km (1872 sq miles)

2. Ancient name: Liger.  a river in France, rising in the Massif Central and flowing north and west in a wide curve to the Bay of Biscay: the longest river in France. Its valley is famous for its wines and châteaux. Length: 1020 km (634 miles)

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Example Sentences

A man has gone missing in the Loire River in the flood-hit west of France, an official said, as the country on Wednesday marked a record-breaking streak of 35 consecutive days of rain.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

A white grape native to the Loire Valley of France, Chenin Blanc is also grown in South Africa, and many other countries as well, including the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

March 2021 — The first of an expected 1,000 historic French oak trees destined to rebuild the spire are selected from the Bercé forest in the French Loire region.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Light streams in not from clunky overhead fixtures but through floor-to-ceiling windows, offering gloriously unrestricted views of the verdant Loire Valley countryside.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023

There were some fine photographs of the châteaux of the Loire, and an article as well.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier