SYNONYMS | EXAMPLES | WORD ORIGIN verb (used without object) to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course: The stream meandered through the valley.
to wander aimlessly; ramble: The talk meandered on.
verb (used with object) Surveying to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line . noun Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.
a circuitous movement or journey.
an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.
Origin of meander 1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course
Related forms me·an·der·er , noun me·an·der·ing·ly , adverb un·me·an·der·ing , adjective un·me·an·der·ing·ly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for meandering Contemporary Examples of meandering Though conversational and often witty, his meandering phrases become increasingly unpredictable as they develop.
He was obsessed with detail and had a slow, meandering style.
We watched her float about, a meandering frown, for two whole hours in the season premiere as she mourned the death of Matthew.
And that makes for a meandering , challenging, non-escapist viewing.
Netanyahu's meandering and uninspired drivel left many confused but I will attempt to summarize it.
Historical Examples of meandering The sight of him meandering about the room recalled these things.
Now, the Kennyfecks had been meandering after this fashion for some time back.
But mind you tell your wife just what I told you—and no meandering of your own—you hear!
Then, meandering through this wilderness of dubiety, ran thoughts of Oliver.
"Gimpy Gordon's meandering mind is well understood for what it is," he said.
British Dictionary definitions for meandering verb (intr) to follow a winding course
to wander without definite aim or direction
Show More
noun (often plural) a curve or bend, as in a river
(often plural) a winding course or movement
an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture
Show More
Derived Forms meanderer , noun meandering , adjective meanderingly , adverb meandrous , adjective Word Origin for meander C16: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros the River Maeander; see Menderes (sense 1)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for meandering n. 1570s, "confusion, intricacies," from Latin meander "a winding course," from Greek Maiandros , name of a river in Caria noted for its winding course (the Greeks used the name figuratively for winding patterns). In reference to river courses, in English, from 1590s. Adjectival forms are meandrine (1846); meandrous (1650s).
Show More
v. "flow in a winding course" (of rivers), 1610s, from meander (n.). Of a person, "to wander aimlessly" (1831), originally of persons traveling on a river (1821), perhaps influenced by confusion with maunder [OED]. Related: Meandered ; meandering .
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
