mangrove
Americannoun
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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.
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any of various similar plants.
noun
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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
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( as modifier )
mangrove swamp
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any of various similar trees or shrubs of the genus Avicennia: family Avicenniaceae
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.
Vocabulary lists containing mangrove
The United States
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Southeast Asia - Introductory
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Southeast Asia - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also travelled to the small island of Paqueta, where he met locals, learnt about mangrove conservation and planted tree saplings.
From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025
There, he greeted residents and learned about the island's mangrove habitats.
From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025
Around 12 hectares of this area are part of the State Natural Heritage Puerto Viejo mangrove and estuary.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2025
The study also shows that while mangrove loss continued from 2010 to 2020, the rate of decline slowed significantly to just 0.66 percent.
From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2024
Right away I got a couple of decent mangrove snappers, and Dad caught a fat keeper grouper.
From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
