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lee

noun
\ ˈlΔ“ How to pronounce lee (audio) \

Definition of lee

 (Entry 1 of 14)

1 : protecting shelter
2 : the side (as of a ship) or area that is sheltered from the wind

lee

adjective

Definition of lee (Entry 2 of 14)

1 : of, relating to, or being the side sheltered from the wind β€” compare weather
2 : facing in the direction of motion of an overriding glacier —used especially of a hillside

Lee

biographical name (1)
\ ˈlΔ“ How to pronounce Lee (audio) \

Definition of Lee (Entry 3 of 14)

Ann 1736–1784 American (English-born) Shaker

Lee

biographical name (2)

Definition of Lee (Entry 4 of 14)

Charles 1731–1782 American (English-born) general

Lee

biographical name (3)

Definition of Lee (Entry 5 of 14)

David Morris 1931–     American physicist

Lee

biographical name (4)

Definition of Lee (Entry 6 of 14)

Fitzhugh 1835–1905 nephew of Robert E. Lee American general

Lee

biographical name (5)

Definition of Lee (Entry 7 of 14)

Francis Lightfoot 1734–1797 American statesman in Revolution

Lee

biographical name (6)

Definition of Lee (Entry 8 of 14)

(Nelle) Harper 1926–2016 American novelist

Lee

biographical name (7)

Definition of Lee (Entry 9 of 14)

Henry 1756–1818 Light-Horse Harry; father of Robert E. Lee American general

Lee

biographical name (8)

Definition of Lee (Entry 10 of 14)

Myung-bak 1941–     president of South Korea (2008–13)

Lee

biographical name (9)

Definition of Lee (Entry 11 of 14)

Richard Henry 1732–1794 brother of Francis Lightfoot Lee American statesman in Revolution

Lee

biographical name (10)

Definition of Lee (Entry 12 of 14)

Robert E(dward) 1807–1870 American Confederate general

Lee

biographical name (11)

Definition of Lee (Entry 13 of 14)

Sir Sidney 1859–1926 English editor and scholar

Lee

biographical name (12)

Definition of Lee (Entry 14 of 14)

Yuan Tseh 1936–     American (Taiwanese-born) chemist

Examples of lee in a Sentence

Noun

 the lee of the ship

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Silly for setting up in a strong wind in the lee of a giant cliff, where the air swirls and gusts unpredictably around the steep walls of sinuously folded, crumbling rock. — Erin Mckittrick, Alaska Dispatch News, "How to document your Alaska adventure," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lee

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for lee

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hlΔ“o; perhaps akin to Old High German lāo lukewarm, Latin calΔ“re to be warm

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More Definitions for lee

lee

noun
How to pronounce Lee (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lee

: the side of something that is sheltered from the wind

See the full definition for lee in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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