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riparian right
noun
: a right (such as access to or use of the shore, bed, and water) of one owning riparian land
Examples of riparian right in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The legislation expressly authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to investigate all water rights claims — including riparian rights and pre-1914 rights — and to determine whether the rights are valid.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
California still recognizes water rights based on those old claims, as well as riparian rights based on land ownership next to rivers and streams.
—Ian Jamesstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2023
The board has indicated that, because conditions are so dry, restrictions will likely be extended to water users with pre-1914 water rights as well as those with land adjacent to a waterway, known as a riparian right.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riparian right.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1860, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of riparian right was
circa 1860
Dictionary Entries Near riparian right
Cite this Entry
“Riparian right.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riparian%20right. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Legal Definition
riparian right
noun
: the right of one owning riparian land to have access to and use of the shore and water
More from Merriam-Webster on riparian right
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riparian right
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