mangrove

American  

[mang-grohv, man-] / ˈmæŋ groʊv, ˈmæn- /

noun

• mangroves
  plural

1. any tropical tree or shrub of the genus Rhizophora, the species of which are mostly low trees growing in marshes or tidal shores, noted for their interlacing above-ground adventitious roots.

2. any of various similar plants.

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mangrove British  

/ ˈmæŋɡrəʊv, ˈmæn- /

noun

1. 1. any tropical evergreen tree or shrub of the genus Rhizophora, having stiltlike intertwining aerial roots and growing below the highest tide levels in estuaries and along coasts, forming dense thickets: family Rhizophoraceae

   2. ( as modifier )

      mangrove swamp

2. any of various similar trees or shrubs of the genus Avicennia: family Avicenniaceae

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mangroves
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mangrove

First recorded in 1605–15; alteration (by folk etymology) of earlier mangrow, from Portuguese mangue, ultimately derived from Taíno

Explanation

A mangrove is a tree that grows in salty, tropical water near the coast. Most mangroves are found near the equator, though some grow as far north as Florida. Scientists explain the wide distribution of mangroves to the movement of the earth's plates. The oldest mangrove fossils are at least 75 million years old; these ancient, salt-loving trees adapted over time to filter sea water. Mangroves play a role in sustaining coastal areas, even staving off the worst effects of tsunamis. Experts aren't certain about the word's origin, but one theory traces it to a native West Indies language like Carib or Arawakan.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mangrove mangroves

Researchers carried out the study in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh, one of the country's last major refuges for saltwater crocodiles.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

While the Nigerian navy has increased maritime security operations, the military and other security agencies have carried out operations against oil thieves, who often hid out in the area's dense mangrove forests.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

These days, hikers flock to the island’s mangrove forests and divers to its coral reefs, teeming with turtles and pufferfish.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

While some previous studies have indicated that rising sea levels could boost carbon storage in mangrove ecosystems, a new study paints a more complicated picture.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

I gave her a nice mangrove snapper that I caught, and she had it cleaned and cooking over the flames in five minutes flat.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

"Lamu's mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds are not expendable. They support fisheries, livelihoods and coastal protection," the NGO said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

Most of that carbon is trapped in the soils beneath the trees, making mangroves an important ally in efforts to slow climate change.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

"This is good news for mangroves - there are more of them than we thought, and they are showing their resilience," said Dr Pete Bunting from Aberystwyth University, another of the authors.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

The fuel terminal was built in the 1920s, when there was little other than mangroves and coconut palms on Fisher Island.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

When she turned down the road to the marina, Dad leaned out the passenger window and began shining the spotlight through the mangroves, in case Abbey was hiding there.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen