Definition

Proper noun 1. A Great Lake of North America: Lake Erie is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the fourth largest by surface area and the shallowest by average depth. 2. A specific geographical feature: It is bounded by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and the U.S. states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to the west, south, and east.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Lake Erie is a vital source of drinking water for millions of people.
  • The city of Cleveland is located on the southern shore of Lake Erie.
  • Shipping lanes on Lake Erie connect the upper and lower Great Lakes.

Advanced Usage

• "Lake Erie effect": A meteorological term for a specific type of heavy snowfall that occurs on the leeward (downwind) shores of the lake, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, when cold air moves over the warmer lake waters.
  • The region is preparing for a possible Lake Erie effect snowstorm.

Variants and Related Words

• Erie: Often used alone to refer to the lake in certain contexts (e.g., "shipping on Erie"), but "Lake Erie" is the full, formal name.
• Great Lakes: The collective name for the group of five large lakes in North America, of which Lake Erie is one.

Synonyms

• The fourth Great Lake: A descriptive synonym referencing its size ranking among the Great Lakes.
• Erie: A shortened, informal form.

Related Phrases

• Battle of Lake Erie: A pivotal naval battle fought on the lake during the War of 1812.
  • The Battle of Lake Erie was a decisive American victory.
• Lake Erie watershed: The land area that drains into Lake Erie.
  • Protecting the Lake Erie watershed is crucial for water quality.

Noun

1. the 4th largest of the Great Lakes; it is linked to the Hudson River by the New York State Barge Canal