Monongahela

American  

[muh-nong-guh-hee-luh, ‐-hey-luh] / məˌnɒŋ gəˈhi lə, ‐ˈheɪ lə /

noun

1. a river flowing from northern West Virginia through southwestern Pennsylvania into the Ohio River. 128 miles (205 km) long.

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Monongahela British  

/ məˌnɒŋɡəˈhiːlə /

noun

1. a river in the northeastern US, flowing generally north to the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, forming the Ohio River. Length: 206 km (128 miles)

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Etymology

Origin of Monongahela

First recorded in 1750–60; from Unami (an Eastern Algonquian language): “falling banks” (referring to the instability of the banks of the river)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Monongahela

Braddock’s column was ambushed by French and Native American forces at the Battle of the Monongahela.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

This year’s tree came from from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 17, 2023

But the Capitol Christmas Tree doesn’t always come from the Monongahela.

From National Geographic ● Nov. 16, 2023

Snow fell on the crew members Wednesday in Monongahela National Forest as they harvested the tree selected for this year’s holiday season.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2023

Throughout the years, Pittsburgh had welcomed all—anyone who wanted to work hard could come to the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland