neap tide

noun

: a tide of minimum range occurring at the first and the third quarters of the moon

Examples of neap tide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The possibility of a prolonged neap tide like the one that had tripped up the landing boats at Tarawa was right there in black and white. Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 But on November 20, 1943, the day the amphibious assault on Tarawa began, an apogean neap tide prevailed. Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 The bay was filling on a neap tide and the Stags of Broadhaven thrust at the clear white skies in raucous appeal. Kevin Barry, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neap tide was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near neap tide

Cite this Entry

“Neap tide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neap%20tide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

neap tide

noun
ˈnēp-
: a tide of least range occurring at the first and third quarters of the moon

More from Merriam-Webster on neap tide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!