Definition

Proper noun 1. A major river in North America: The Rio Bravo is a significant river that forms a large part of the international border between the United States and Mexico. It flows southeast into the Gulf of Mexico. * Note: "Rio Bravo" is the Spanish name for the river known in English as the "Rio Grande."

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Rio Bravo serves as a natural boundary between Texas and several Mexican states.
  • Water rights for the Rio Bravo are a critical issue for both the United States and Mexico.
  • The treaty established the middle of the Rio Bravo as the official border.

Advanced Usage

• Geopolitical Context: The term "Rio Bravo" is inherently tied to discussions of international law, border security, immigration, and water resource management between the U.S. and Mexico.
  • Negotiations focused on the management of the Rio Bravo basin.

Variants and Related Words

• Rio Grande (Proper noun): The English name for the same river. The two names are used interchangeably in many contexts, with "Rio Grande" being more common in U.S. English.
  • The Rio Grande / Rio Bravo empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Synonyms

• Border river: A river that forms a political boundary.
• International waterway: A river that flows through or between multiple nations.

Related Phrases

• Rio Bravo del Norte: A fuller, less common Spanish name for the river, meaning "Brave River of the North."
• Bravo River: A direct but uncommon English translation of the Spanish name.

Noun

1. a North American river; boundary between the United States and Mexico; flows into Gulf of Mexico