wetland

American  

[wet-land] / ˈwɛtˌlænd /

noun

wetlands plural

1. Often wetlands. land that has a wet and spongy soil, as a marsh, swamp, or bog.

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wetland British  

/ ˈwɛtlənd /

noun

1. (sometimes plural)

   1. an area of swampy or marshy land, esp considered as part of an ecological system

   2. ( as modifier )

      wetland species

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wetland Scientific  

/ wĕt′lănd′ /

1. A low-lying area of land that is saturated with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife. Marshes, swamps, and bogs are examples of wetlands.

2. See more at lacustrine marine palustrine riverine

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Closer Look

Wetlands are areas such as swamps, bogs, and marshes where water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface, particularly in the root zone, at least a good portion of the year, including the growing season. In the past, wetlands were generally considered unproductive or undesirable lands—smelly and unhealthful, a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests—and many were filled in to create farmland or to develop land for housing and industrial use. More than half of the original wetlands in the continental United States have disappeared in the name of reclamation, disease prevention, and flood control. Scientists now realize that, far from being noxious barrens, wetlands play a key role in the ecosystem. They act as filters, removing pollutants, including metals, from waters. They serve as reservoirs, and they aid flood and erosion control by absorbing excess water. Wetlands are home to a great variety of plant and animal species, some endangered, that have evolved to live in the wetland's unique conditions. The preservation and, where possible, restoration of these vital habitats has become a primary goal of environmentalists around the world.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wetlands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wetland

First recorded in 1770–80; wet + -land

Explanation

An ecosystem that is extremely soggy — like a bog or a swamp — is a wetland. You can find plants including cattails and water lilies growing in wetlands. Coined in the 1740s, wetland is a fairly obvious combination of wet and land, which perfectly describes what they're like. Whether they're saturated with saltwater or freshwater, these ecosystems support many species of animals and plants. The presence of organisms that have adapted to live in areas that are usually (but not always) flooded is what distinguishes marshes, estuaries, and other wetlands from bodies of water.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wetland wetlands

As the industry boomed, birds migrating to and from Africa along one of Europe's key flyways were increasingly drawn to the area; today it is internationally recognised as a vital wetland.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

While they provide habitat for some species, they can also reduce the abundance and diversity of birds that rely on open grassland and wetland environments.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 22, 2026

As the first of three rounds of rockets were launched into the sky, a flock of birds dispersed from a nearby wetland area on the coast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

There, she explored how restoration efforts are shaping the carbon and nutrient cycles within the country’s wetland soils.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026

You’d think a pig would leave a beaten trail in this wetland, but Crystal hasn’t or, at least, I can’t find it.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

For five decades, presidential administrations, businesses and states have fought over what wetlands and waterways should be protected from pollution by this landmark environmental legislation.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

He recommends visitors hike the Curonian Spit—a thin 61-mile stretch of sand dunes along the Baltic Sea—and cross the wooden boardwalks that span Estonia’s wetlands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

The beavers slow the flow of water during downpours and create wetlands that hold it back, easing pressure on the drainage system further downstream.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

He sees the gather as a win for everyone: “The horses get moved, and adopted, and the wetlands get an opportunity to rebound — hopefully.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

After an endless trek through trash- strewn wetlands, we found the salt ponds: rectangular fields of shallow water.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

• bog
• glade