low tide

American  

noun

low tides plural

1. the tide at the point of maximum ebb.

2. the time of low water.

3. the lowest point of decline of anything.

   His spirits were at low tide.

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low tide British  

noun

1. the tide when it is at its lowest level or the time at which it reaches this

2. a lowest point

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low tide Scientific  

1. The tide at its lowest level at a particular time and place. The lowest tides reached under normal meteorological conditions (the spring tides) take place when the Moon and Sun are directly aligned with respect to Earth. Low tides are less extreme when the Moon and Sun are at right angles (the neap tides). Storms and other meteorological conditions can greatly affect the height of the tides as well.

2. See more at tide

3. The time at which a low tide occurs.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• low tides
  plural

Etymology

Origin of low tide

First recorded in 1860–65

Compare meaning

How does low-tide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• high tide vs. low tide

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

low tide

Walkers must therefore roll up their trousers and wade across the river within an hour either side of low tide.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

"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

The study is intended to help researchers understand how the manmade breakwater that was built in the 1930s in Santa Monica Bay, often visible during low tide, might hurt water circulation and, therefore, water quality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2025

For some reason—the police cited low tide; Mafart claimed the problem was fishermen at the pickup spot—Dillais motored past Teal Park heading east.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

The strip of mud between the water and the bank narrowed, even though it was still low tide.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins