low water

American  

noun

1. water at its lowest level, as in a river.

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low water British  

noun

1. another name for low tide

2. the state of any stretch of water at its lowest level

3. a situation of difficulty or point of least success, excellence, etc

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Other Word Forms

• low-water
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of low water

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

low water

The 50-mile marine shortcut between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans that carries 40% of U.S. containerized trade is struggling to meet shipping demand because of persistent low water levels caused by little rainfall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The Panama Canal Authority said low water levels in the two artificial lakes that feed the canal forced it to act.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

Historically low water levels on major rivers in Germany this summer have also weighed on industries, such as chemicals and steel-making, that transport goods by boat.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Recent data could point to a 6.6% fall in intermediate-goods production—a decent proxy for sensitivity to low water levels—pushing down industrial production by 2.5% over six months, all else being equal, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

It was dead low water now, and the ship was heeled at an angle, the propeller showing clean.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier