river Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
    • the river was navigable for 50 miles

WordNet

Riv"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who rives or splits.
Riv"er noun
Etymology
F. rivère a river, LL. riparia river, bank of a river, fr. L. riparius belonging to a bank or shore, fr. ripa a bank or shore; of uncertain origin. Cf. Arrive, Riparian.
Definitions
  1. A large stream of water flowing in a bed or channel and emptying into the ocean, a sea, a lake, or another stream; a stream larger than a rivulet or brook.
    Transparent and sparkling rivers, from which it is delightful to drink as they flow. Macaulay.
  2. Fig.: A large stream; copious flow; abundance; as, rivers of blood; rivers of oil.
Riv"er intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To hawk by the side of a river; to fly hawks at river fowl. Obs. Halliwell.

Webster 1913