river

¹ American  

[riv-er] / ˈrɪv ər /

noun

1. a natural stream of water of fairly large size flowing in a definite course or channel or series of diverging and converging channels.

2. a similar stream of something other than water: a river of ice.

   a river of lava;

   a river of ice.

3. any abundant stream or copious flow; outpouring: rivers of words.

   rivers of tears;

   rivers of words.

4. Astronomy. River, the constellation Eridanus.

5. Printing. a vertical channel of white space resulting from the alignment in several lines of spaces between words.

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idioms

1. sell down the river, to betray; deceive; double-cross.

   to sell one's friends down the river.

2. up the river,

   1. to prison.

      to be sent up the river for a bank robbery.

   2. in prison.

      Thirty years up the river had made him a stranger to society.

river ² American  

[rahy-ver] / ˈraɪ vər /

noun

1. a person who rives.

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river British  

/ ˈrɪvə /

noun

1. 1. a large natural stream of fresh water flowing along a definite course, usually into the sea, being fed by tributary streams

   2. ( as modifier )

      river traffic

      a river basin

   3. ( in combination )

      riverside

      riverbed

2. any abundant stream or flow

   a river of blood

3. informal to deceive or betray

4. slang poker the fifth and final community card to be dealt in a round of Texas hold 'em

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river Scientific  

/ rĭv′ər /

1. A wide, natural stream of fresh water that flows into an ocean or other large body of water and is usually fed by smaller streams, called tributaries, that enter it along its course. A river and its tributaries form a drainage basin, or watershed, that collects the runoff throughout the region and channels it along with erosional sediments toward the river. The sediments are typically deposited most heavily along the river's lower course, forming floodplains along its banks and a delta at its mouth.

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river More Idioms  

1. see sell down the river; up the river.

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Other Word Forms

• riverless
  adjective
• riverlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of river¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English river(e), rever(e), from Old French rivere, riviere, from unattested Vulgar Latin rīpāria, noun use of feminine of Latin rīpārius riparian

Origin of river²

First recorded in 1450–1500; rive + -er ¹

Explanation

A river is a long, flowing natural stream of water. The Nile is one of the most famous rivers in the world. If you've ever been to Chicago, you've probably seen the Chicago River, which cuts right through downtown. Or what about that big one in the middle of the U.S., called the Mississippi? Rivers are large bodies of water, usually marked out on maps as long, wiggly blue lines. Rivers are bigger than creeks and streams, but they're not as wide as lakes or as vast as oceans. In fact, rivers often pour into lakes or oceans.

Example Sentences

The Float and Fish excursion sends guests in kayaks along a clear and fast-moving section of the river, casting in pockets and eddies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Welsh Water apologised earlier this year, when it was hit with an enforcement package from regulator Ofwat, which included £40.6m to reduce spills and environmental damage, plus an extra £4.1m to improve river quality.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

Weinberg nodded enthusiastically, more excited about my correct read of the river than the prospect of another fish.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026

A little more than a year ago, Boise, Idaho, was known as a charming city boasting a tree-lined river greenbelt and a college football stadium with bright blue artificial turf.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 3, 2026

He ran north through the aspens, putting some distance between himself and the river, then skidded to a halt.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• estuary
• stream
• tributary