Word
ria
Phoneticsria
US/ˈɹiə/
UK/ɹˈaɪɐ/
Definition
n. a long, narrow body of water that forms when a river valley is flooded by the sea. It looks like a deep bay or a branch of the ocean reaching into the land.
n. a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of a river valley that remains open to the sea. Unlike a fjord, it is created by rising sea levels or subsiding land rather than glacial erosion.
Examples
“The boat sailed deep into the ria to find calm water.”
“The rugged coastline of Galicia is famous for its rias, which provide sheltered harbors for local fishing fleets.”
“Geologists distinguish a ria from other estuarine forms by its dendritic pattern, which mirrors the original river drainage system before the post-glacial rise in sea levels submerged the valley floor.”
Examples
simple
“The boat sailed deep into the ria to find calm water.”
contextual
“The rugged coastline of Galicia is famous for its rias, which provide sheltered harbors for local fishing fleets.”
complex
“Geologists distinguish a ria from other estuarine forms by its dendritic pattern, which mirrors the original river drainage system before the post-glacial rise in sea levels submerged the valley floor.”
Usage
Commonly used in physical geography and coastal geology; often appears in the plural when describing specific regions.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/ria