Definition

Proper noun: - A major river in southwestern Asia: The Euphrates River is one of the two great rivers of the historical region of Mesopotamia. It originates in eastern Turkey, flows through Syria and Iraq, and joins the Tigris River to form the Shatt al-Arab, which then empties into the Persian Gulf. It is historically significant for its role in the development of early human civilizations.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Euphrates River is a vital source of water for agriculture in Iraq.
  • Ancient cities like Babylon were built along the banks of the Euphrates River.
  • The management of the Euphrates River's water resources is a subject of regional discussion.

Advanced Usage

• "The cradle of civilization": This phrase is often used to describe the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Mesopotamia), where some of the world's earliest civilizations, such as Sumer and Akkad, developed.
  • Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is often called the cradle of civilization.

Variants and Related Words

• Euphrates (Proper noun): The common shortened form of "Euphrates River."
  • The Euphrates flows through three countries.
• Mesopotamia (Proper noun): The historical region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Tigris-Euphrates river system (Noun phrase): Refers to the two rivers as a combined geographical and hydrological system.

Synonyms

• The Euphrates: (Used as a direct synonym for the full name "Euphrates River").

Related Phrases

• The Land Between the Rivers: A direct translation of "Mesopotamia," referring to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • The first writing systems emerged in the Land Between the Rivers.

Noun

1. a river in southwestern Asia; flows into the Persian Gulf; was important in the development of several great civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia