Ouse

American  

[ooz] / uz /

noun

1. Also called Great Ouse.  a river in E England, flowing NE to the Wash. 160 miles (260 km) long.

2. a river in NE England, in Yorkshire, flowing SE to the Humber. 57 miles (92 km) long.

3. a river in SE England, flowing S to the English Channel. 30 miles (48 km) long.

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Ouse British  

/ uːz /

noun

1. Also called: Great Ouse.  a river in E England, rising in Northamptonshire and flowing northeast to the Wash near King's Lynn; for the last 56 km (35 miles) follows mainly artificial channels. Length: 257 km (160 miles)

2. a river in NE England, in Yorkshire, formed by the confluence of the Swale and Ure Rivers: flows southeast to the Humber. Length: 92 km (57 miles)

3. a river in S England, rising in Sussex and flowing south to the English Channel. Length: 48 km (30 miles)

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Example Sentences

The reserve is situated on the south bank of the River Ouse where the waterway widens into the Humber Estuary.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

"Essentially Anglian Water are using the River Great Ouse as a sewage outlet – and it's not acceptable," he says.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

The 2021 race took place on the Great Ouse near Ely because of Covid-19 restrictions and safety concerns.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Shipyard workers hammered away the last supporting "shores" and wedges, then ducked and dashed for cover as the huge vessel slid above their heads in a spectacular sideways launch into the River Ouse.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2024

On the west side of the Ouse Bridge, at York, was St. William’s Chapel, an interesting example of early English architecture.

From Old Church Lore by Andrews, William