inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river

also : creek

b

: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon

2

: a way of entering

especially : an opening for intake

Synonyms

• arm
• bay
• bight
• cove
• creek [chiefly British]
• embayment
• estuary
• firth
• fjord
• fiord
• gulf
• loch [Scottish]

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets.

went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast

Recent Examples on the Web

On the north side of the inlet, the jetty pier stretches 1,000 feet into the ocean, luring those with fishing poles in tow to cast a line for snook, redfish, black drum, king mackerel, and more. —Terry Ward, Outside Online, 19 Jan. 2025

That's when cold arctic air starts to cool the lakes, allowing ice to form in some of the bays and inlets. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024

Icy Repose by Sue Flood A Weddell seal reclines on an ice floe in Neko Harbor, an inlet on the Antarctic Peninsula. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

To explain the difference between Tesla's system and CCS, Sun holds up a chunk of black plastic with round holes in it — the charging inlet of a vehicle on the CCS system. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a small or narrow bay

2

: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət 

: the upper opening of a bodily cavity

especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim