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

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

"The Niger Delta is the poster child for mangrove pollution impact," said Bunting.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

Similarly, certain marine strategies focus on restoring or protecting coastal ecosystems such as mangrove swamps.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 20, 2025

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

He could have been in the mangrove forest instead, looking for the cub.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Beyond storing carbon, mangroves play a critical role in shielding shorelines from storms, supporting wildlife, and helping sustain coastal communities.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

But it has been the destruction of forests and mining further upstream which may have flushed the nutrients, like nitrogen, from soils into waterways, benefitting the mangroves down the river.

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

In Rio de Janeiro, biologist Mário Moscatelli, who’s spent decades restoring mangroves in the city’s gorgeous Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, is now speaking on behalf of the lagoon’s capybaras.

From Slate ● May 27, 2026

Across the estuary from the town one section of mangroves stood clear and telescopically defined, while another mangrove clump was a hazy black-green blob.

From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck