meander

¹ American  

[mee-an-der] / miˈæn dər /

verb (used without object)

1. to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course.

   The stream meandered through the valley.

   Synonyms:

   coil, snake, twist, wind, wander

2. to wander aimlessly; ramble.

   The talk meandered on.

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verb (used with object)

1. Surveying. to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line.

noun

1. Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.

2. a circuitous movement or journey.

3. an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.

Meander ² American  

[mee-an-der] / miˈæn dər /

noun

1. ancient name of the Menderes.

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Meander ¹ British  

/ miːˈændə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Maeander

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meander ² British  

/ mɪˈændə /

verb

1. to follow a winding course

2. to wander without definite aim or direction

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noun

1. (often plural) a curve or bend, as in a river

2. (often plural) a winding course or movement

3. an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture

meander Scientific  

/ mē-ăn′dər /

1. A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.

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Other Word Forms

• meanderer noun
• meandering adjective
• meanderingly adverb
• meandrous adjective

Etymology

Origin of meander

1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course

Example Sentences

Since then, the 79-year-old Republican has rarely missed an opportunity to discuss the project, frequently meandering in mid-speech on other topics to riff about the architectural details of the proposed facility.

From Barron's

Whether Tuesday’s rebound marks the entrance to that path, or another meandering trail of foggy wartime reactions, remains to be seen.

From Barron's

“The Complex,” more meandering and less searing — is a departure from such detonation.

From Los Angeles Times

But this section is where the album drifts into mediocrity, with a handful of meandering, mid-tempo love songs that don't really add much to the overall package.

From BBC

I whirl around, expecting to see a drunken reveler, a meandering crowd.

From Literature

Related Words

• drift
• ramble
• roam
• snake
• stray
• stroll
• traipse