Definition

Proper noun * The Mekong River: A major transboundary river in Southeast Asia. It is one of the world's longest rivers, flowing from its source on the Tibetan Plateau through several countries before emptying into the South China Sea via a large delta in southern Vietnam.

Usage

• The term "Mekong River" is used as a singular, proper noun to name this specific geographical feature. It is typically preceded by the definite article "the."
• Example:

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The river is sometimes referred to metonymically to represent the region, its ecology, or the issues surrounding it.
  • Example: Regional cooperation is essential for the future of the Mekong River. (Here, "the Mekong River" implies the river system and the shared resources and challenges it presents.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mekong (noun): A common shortened form used, especially in compound names or adjectival forms.
  • Example: The Mekong Delta is often called Vietnam's "rice bowl."
• Mekong Delta (noun phrase): The large, fertile region in southern Vietnam where the river fans out and empties into the sea.
• Lower Mekong / Upper Mekong (noun phrases): Terms used to describe specific sections of the river's course.

Synonyms

• There are no direct synonyms for this proper noun. In general geographical contexts, one might use a descriptive phrase.
• A major Southeast Asian river (descriptive phrase).

Related Phrases

• The lifeblood of Southeast Asia: A common metaphorical description emphasizing the river's crucial importance to the region.
  • Example: The Mekong River is often described as the lifeblood of Southeast Asia.

Noun

1. an Asian river; flows through a large delta in southern Vietnam into the South China Sea