riverbed

noun

riv·​er·​bed ˈri-vər-ˌbed How to pronounce riverbed (audio)
: the channel occupied by a river

Examples of riverbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sand in riverbeds, lake beds and shorelines is the best for construction, but scarcity opens the market to less suitable sand from beaches and dunes, much of it scraped illegally and cheaply. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024 On track to be completed by mid-October is a 300-foot stretch of clay pipe that will connect the low-flow channel at the center of the riverbed to the well on Metabolic Studio’s Spring Street property. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023 Excavations of the gravel riverbed also uncovered a stone urn, a limestone carving of a man’s face, other limestone artifacts, bricks and tile pieces, archaeologists said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The storm was also dangerous for people living along waterways, and more encampments have been tallied by the San Diego River since the city passed its camping ban. Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell said lifeguards had rescued more than 50 individuals Monday, including many by riverbeds. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 Deputies on Friday began working with county outreach teams to contact anyone who may be in a riverbed. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2023 Perhaps no area was more affected by the recent storm than the riverbed. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024 Between 2020 and May 2022, USGS geomorphologist Paul Grams saw the river scour the riverbed 36 feet deeper, and the water is now encountering resistant bedrock. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 The neighborhood is outside the nearest wildfire hazard zone, which is along the San Luis Rey riverbed. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2024

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

1781, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of riverbed was in 1781

Dictionary Entries Near riverbed

Cite this Entry

“Riverbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riverbed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

riverbed

noun
riv·​er·​bed -ˌbed How to pronounce riverbed (audio)
: the channel occupied or once occupied by a river

More from Merriam-Webster on riverbed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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