often attributive
: a tract of soft wet land usually characterized by monocotyledons (such as grasses or cattails)

Examples of marsh in a Sentence

a wide expanse of marsh the marshes along the coast support a remarkable profusion of plants and animals
Recent Examples on the Web The sun reflected off the water, the bay as still as a pond, as container ships and marshes framed the city skyline. Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024 The refuge encompasses more than 6,300 acres of marshes, coastal wetlands and islands and stretches along 48 miles of shoreline on the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 The Central Valley historically had about 4 million acres of wetlands and riparian areas, forming a vast watery mosaic of marshes, vernal pools, rivers in braided channels and lakes fringed with tules and forests. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 The Retreat Course appeals to anyone who appreciates the sight of sea marshes and statuesque Georgia pines. Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Must-see Wildlife and Natural Features The Everglades is essentially a giant wetland that consists of sawgrass marshes, pine flatwoods, and coastal mangroves. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2024 This island offers an up close and personal view of marshes, bays, and the wild ponies made famous in the novel Misty of Chincoteague. Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2024 Gilbert’s skeletal remains were discovered in a marsh in December 2011. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023 As sea otters return to the coast of California, their presence could also limit erosion in other areas, like the marshes of San Francisco Bay, so long as their populations can survive, Watson tells Nature News. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024

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

Middle English mersh, from Old English merisc, mersc; akin to Middle Dutch mersch marsh, Old English mere sea, pool — more at marine

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marsh was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near marsh

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

marsh

noun
: an area of soft wet land usually overgrown by grasses and sedges
marshy
ˈmär-shē
adjective

Biographical Definition

Marsh

biographical name

Dame (Edith) Ngaio ˈnī-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce Marsh (audio) 1899–1982 New Zealand writer

More from Merriam-Webster on marsh

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