mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

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 acanthus family or Sonneratia of the family Lythraceae) with growth habits like those of the true mangroves

Examples of mangrove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s length is equivalent to that of the entire west coast of the U.S., yet accounts for 10 percent of the entire planet’s coral reef ecosystems — that’s nearly 3,000 coral reefs, 300 coral cays, 600 continental islands, and 150 inshore mangrove islands. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2024

Paddle through the mangrove islands of Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024

Featuring marimba and sounds from Colombia’s rich Pacific coast, and inspired by ancestral chants from the area, this beautiful ode to the environment invites you to immerse yourself in the sounds of the mangroves and the depths of nature. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 26 July 2024

Home to one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, carpeted with mangrove jungle, steeped in Mayan history, and rimmed in white-sand beaches, Cozumel is the crown jewel of Mexico’s Caribbean islands. —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mangrove

noun

man·​grove ˈman-ˌgrōv 

ˈmaŋ-

: any of various tropical trees or shrubs that grow many prop roots and form dense masses in somewhat salty marshes or shallow salt water