Definition

Proper noun: A major river in the eastern United States, formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and flowing generally southwest to join the Mississippi River at Cairo, Illinois. It serves as a significant historical and commercial waterway.

Usage

The term "Ohio River" is used as a proper noun to name this specific geographical feature. It is typically preceded by the definite article "the." * The Ohio River forms the southern borders of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. * Barges carry goods along the Ohio River. * Several large cities, like Cincinnati and Louisville, are located on the Ohio River.

Advanced Usage

• The Ohio River is a political and historical boundary, having been defined as the border between slave states and free states in the antebellum period.
• In historical contexts, it is often referred to as a primary route for westward expansion in the United States.

Variants and Related Words

• Ohio River Valley (n): The region of land drained by the Ohio River and its tributaries.
  • The Ohio River Valley is known for its fertile soil.

Synonyms

• The River: Used informally in local contexts within the region.
  • Let's go fishing down at the river. (Context implies the Ohio River)
• Waterway: A general term for a navigable river or canal.

Related Phrases

• To cross the Ohio: A historical phrase referencing movement, especially related to the Underground Railroad or settlement.
• Headwaters of the Ohio: Refers to the source rivers (Allegheny and Monongahela) in Pittsburgh.

Noun

1. a river that is formed in western Pennsylvania and flows westward to become a tributary of the Mississippi River