Word
bayou
Phoneticsbay·ou
US/ˈbaɪu/
UK/bˈaɪuː/
Definition
n. a slow-moving stream or a swampy area of water. You usually find these in the flat, low parts of the southern United States.
n. a marshy outlet of a lake or river, or a slow-moving body of water found in flat, low-lying areas. Primarily used in the context of the Gulf Coast region of the United States.
Examples
“We took a small boat out into the bayou to see the trees.”
“The local guide navigated the narrow channels of the bayou, pointing out alligators resting among the cypress roots.”
“The unique ecosystem of the Louisiana bayou provides a critical habitat for diverse wildlife while acting as a natural buffer against the storm surges that frequently threaten the coastline.”
Examples
simple
“We took a small boat out into the bayou to see the trees.”
contextual
“The local guide navigated the narrow channels of the bayou, pointing out alligators resting among the cypress roots.”
complex
“The unique ecosystem of the Louisiana bayou provides a critical habitat for diverse wildlife while acting as a natural buffer against the storm surges that frequently threaten the coastline.”
Usage
Often used as a proper noun when naming specific geographic features in the southern United States.
Real-World Examples
“This lot certainly weren’t expecting to be attacked by a hippo when they woke up because they are on a bayou tour in Louisiana, where the biggest threats are normally alligators.” Etymology
From Louisiana French bayou, from Choctaw bayuk (“a creek”). Doublet of bogue.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bayou