inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet How to pronounce inlet (audio)
-lət
1
a
: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river
also : creek
b
: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon
2
: a way of entering
especially : an opening for intake

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets. went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast
Recent Examples on the Web This recently sold four-bedroom home in the northern Miami neighborhood of Miami Shores has direct access to Biscayne Bay via a small inlet waterway. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Beset by devastating floods, Venice erected an engineering marvel of metallic barricades that can rise and lower in its inlets to protect the palazzos, piazzas and churches. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 In the fall, adult kokanee turn bright red and journey up small inlet streams to spawn. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Other planned features include another inlet spanned by a pedestrian bridge. Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024 Prosecutors allege that Simmons shot Murphy, 32, on July 27, three days before a maintenance worker spotted the barrel in a shallow inlet. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Porsche's engineers took an existing 1.1 L VW flat-four engine and modified it—the intent was greater reliability, but the larger inlet valves and higher compression ratio (7.0:1 instead of 5.8:1) increased its output from 25 hp (19 kW) to 35 hp (26 kW) when using a single carburetor. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023 Plenty of people were on the beach, so all of the shorebirds were across the inlet on Figure Eight Island. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Prosecutors allege that Simmons shot Murphy to death on July 27, three days before a maintenance worker first spotted the barrel in a shallow water inlet. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inlet.' 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

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inlet was circa 1576

Dictionary Entries Near inlet

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

inlet

noun
in·​let ˈin-ˌlet How to pronounce inlet (audio)
-lət
1
: a small or narrow bay
2
: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun
in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət How to pronounce inlet (audio)
: the upper opening of a bodily cavity
especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim

More from Merriam-Webster on inlet

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