wetland

noun

wet·​land ˈwet-ˌland How to pronounce wetland (audio)
-lənd
Synonyms of wetlandnext
: land or areas (such as marshes or swamps) that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture
—usually plural

Synonyms of wetland

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Examples of wetland in a Sentence

the conservation board has not always been rigorous in protecting the wetlands from development
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Mescalero Apache traditionally lived on hills above the creeks and wetlands to avoid rising water and mosquitoes, Walsh Padilla said. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Flooding recreates the wetlands that once spread across much of California’s Sacramento Valley. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026 Each winter, the farm floods portions of its rice fields to mimic the natural wetlands that once covered much more of California’s Sacramento Valley. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Denali rises above them all, a monument standing guard over the low, water-rich world of the wetlands below. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wetland

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wetland was in 1669

Rhymes for wetland

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Wethersfield
wetland
wet lap
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Cite this Entry

“Wetland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wetland. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wetland

noun
wet·​land ˈwet-ˌland How to pronounce wetland (audio)
: land or areas (as marshes or swamps) having much soil moisture
—usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on wetland

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wetland

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