lake

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlāk 

often attributive

: a considerable inland body of standing water

also : a pool of other liquid (such as lava, oil, or pitch)

lakelike

ˈlāk-ˌlīk 

adjective

lake

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a purplish red pigment prepared from lac or cochineal

b

: any of numerous usually bright translucent organic pigments composed essentially of a soluble dye absorbed on or combined with an inorganic carrier

2

: carmine sense 2

laky

ˈlā-kē 

adjective

lake

3 of 3

verb

laked; laking

transitive verb

: to cause (blood) to undergo a physiological change in which the hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the plasma

intransitive verb

of blood : to undergo the process by which hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the plasma

Examples of lake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

By Zoë Schlanger When delegates of the world gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, next week for the most important yearly meeting on climate change, their meetings will overlook a reeking lake, polluted by the oil fields on the other side. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

With warm fall days, hundreds of vineyards to explore, close access to ski slopes during the winter, outdoor activities on the lakes and in the mountains the rest of the year and a year-round foodie culture, the Okanagan has something for all types of vacationers. —Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

Sharon Woods lake to be closed until fall 2025, as draining starts this month. —The Enquirer, 2 Apr. 2024

So, businesses intent on deploying a successful AI strategy must make the quality and scope of their data lake the highest priority. —Ingram Micro, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English, Anglo-French, & Latin; Old English lacu stream, pool, from Latin lacus lake, pool, pit & Anglo-French lac pit, from Latin lacus; akin to Old English lagu sea, Greek lakkos pond

Noun (2)

French laque lac, from Old Occitan laca, from Arabic lakk — more at lacquer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing lake

• (go) jump in a/the lake
• lake dwelling
• lake effect
• lake herring
• lake trout
• salt lake

Kids Definition

lake

noun

ˈlāk

: a large inland body of standing water

also : a pool of liquid (as oil or pitch)

Medical Definition

lake

verb

ˈlāk 

laked; laking

transitive verb

: to cause (blood) to undergo a physiological change in which the hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the plasma

intransitive verb

of blood : to undergo the process by which hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the plasma