Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river: A river is a significant, permanent body of fresh water, larger than a stream or creek, that drains a land area.
   • A copious or overwhelming flow of something: Used figuratively to describe a large, continuous quantity of a substance or abstract thing moving as if in a stream.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Natural Stream):
  • The Amazon is the largest river in the world by discharge volume.
  • They built a bridge across the river.
  • The river was navigable for 50 miles.
• Noun (Figurative Flow):
  • A river of lava flowed from the volcano.
  • Her speech prompted a river of tears from the audience.

Advanced Usage

• "to sell someone down the river": To betray or be disloyal to someone, often for personal gain.
  • He sold his partners down the river to get the promotion.
• "to cross the river": A euphemism for dying.
  • In his final days, he spoke of being ready to cross the river.
• "to send someone up the river": (Informal) To send someone to prison.
  • The gangster was sent up the river for ten years.

Variants and Related Words

• Riverbank (n): The land at the side of a river.
  • We had a picnic on the riverbank.
• Riverside (n/adj): The ground along a river; located beside a river.
  • We stayed at a riverside hotel.
• Riverbed (n): The channel in which a river flows.
  • The drought left the riverbed completely dry.

Synonyms

• Stream: A small, narrow river.
• Watercourse: A channel for the flow of water, such as a river or stream.
• Torrent: A strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid (often implies force).

Related Phrases

• "A river runs through it": A phrase indicating something central or unifying that connects different parts.
  • Conflict is the river that runs through the history of that region.
• "To go with the flow": (Idiom, related conceptually) To be relaxed and accept a situation, as one might float down a river.
  • I don't have a plan for the weekend; I'm just going to go with the flow.

Related Idioms

• "Blood is thicker than water" but "You can't step in the same river twice": The latter is a philosophical idiom meaning that everything changes constantly, just as the water in a river is always new.
  • We met again after ten years, but you can't step in the same river twice; we were different people.
• "To be in deep water": (Idiom, related conceptually) To be in a difficult or troublesome situation, as if out of one's depth in a river or sea.
  • He's in deep water after missing the project deadline.

Noun

1. a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
   • the river was navigable for 50 miles