bayou

noun

bay·​ou ˈbī-(ˌ)ü How to pronounce bayou (audio)
-(ˌ)ō
1
: a creek, secondary watercourse, or minor river that is tributary to another body of water
2
: any of various usually marshy or sluggish bodies of water

Examples of bayou in a Sentence

a small creek that is the bayou of a larger stream
Recent Examples on the Web Critters will offer musical renditions and play instruments, which are made of natural materials found in the bayou. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 15 Feb. 2024 There are two large decks, one outside the kitchen for easy-breezy barbecues and the other positioned to take in a fetching view of one of the many scenic bends in the bayou. Mark David, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024 Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson inaugurated the series in a humid, sunlit Louisiana bayou, while Foster and Reis carry out their investigation in a cold, dry tundra that can see weeks of uninterrupted night in winter. Arturo Conde, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2024 Its gentle currents and leafy surroundings reminded him of a calm bayou, quiet but for the intermittent buzzing of insects and the splash of his paddle. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2024 So Saturday’s game will be the city on the bayou vs. the city on the bay. Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2024 Authorities found Horn's body near a Texas bayou on Jan. 5, according to the police department's statement, and authorities have ruled her death a homicide. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024 On day three, Louisiana native chef Melissa Martin and her Mosquito Supper Club team will take travelers out on the bayou aboard a fishermen's boat to understand the endangered coastline and rural Cajun culture. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2023 The only way that Helena can put the demon of her father to rest is to return to the Upper Peninsula — a kind of northern bayou — and confront him there. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bayou.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Louisiana French, earlier bayouque, perhaps borrowed from early Choctaw *bayok, whence Choctaw bo·k "creek, river"

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bayou was in 1763

Dictionary Entries Near bayou

Cite this Entry

“Bayou.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bayou. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bayou

noun
bay·​ou ˈbī-ō How to pronounce bayou (audio)
ˈbī-ü
: a marshy or slowly flowing body of water (as a stream or inlet)

More from Merriam-Webster on bayou

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