low tide

American  

noun

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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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

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

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

What was once Great Britain is now a quarantined island, cut off from the mainland and protected by an armed causeway that can only be accessed during low tide.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2025

They wandered along the river until they came to the wide beach, bright under the moon, where the low tide was turning.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman