inlet
n. countablen. a narrow area of water that goes into the land from the sea or a lake. It is like a small, thin bay where the water is usually calm.
n. a narrow strip of water extending into a body of land from a larger body of water, such as an ocean or lake. Often serves as a natural harbour or a passage between islands.
The boat sailed slowly into the quiet inlet.
We found a hidden inlet where the water was calm enough for the children to swim safely.
The rugged coastline is dotted with numerous rocky inlets, providing essential shelter for small fishing vessels during the frequent autumn storms.
From Middle English inlāte (“inlet, entrance”), from inleten (“to let in”), equivalent to in- + let. Compare Low German inlat (“inlet”), German Einlass (“inlet, entrance”).
From Middle English inleten, equivalent to in- + let. Cognate with Dutch inlaten (“to let in, admit”), Low German inlaten (“to let in”), German einlassen (“to admit, let in”), Swedish inlåta (“to enter, engage”).
Commonly used in geographical and maritime contexts to describe coastal features.