1 mangrove | Definition of mangrove

mangrove

noun
man·​grove | \ ˈman-ˌgrōv How to pronounce mangrove (audio) , ˈmaŋ-\

Definition of mangrove

1 : any of a genus (Rhizophora, especially R. mangle of the family Rhizophoraceae) of tropical maritime trees or shrubs that send out many prop roots and form dense masses important in coastal land building and as foundations of unique ecosystems
2 : any of numerous trees (as of the genera Avicennia of the vervain family or Sonneratia of the family Sonneratiaceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Satellite images show that stretches of Mumbai’s coast have eroded by as much as 18 metres since 2000, in part because developers and slum-dwellers have paved over protective mangroves. The Economist, "Climate change is a remorseless threat to the world’s coasts," 17 Aug. 2019 Right in front of him, Kirkland had stretched out his entire 13-foot length along a horizontal branch of a mangrove tree, just above eye level. Gena Steffens, Smithsonian, "The Snakes That Ate Florida," 11 July 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of mangrove

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for mangrove

probably from Portuguese mangue mangrove (from Spanish mangle, probably from Taino) + English grove

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mangrove

mangrove

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mangrove

: a tropical tree that has roots which grow from its branches and that grows in swamps or shallow salt water

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on mangrove

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with mangrove

Spanish Central: Translation of mangrove

Nglish: Translation of mangrove for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mangrove