Definition

Proper noun: 1. Saint Johns River: A major river in the U.S. state of Florida. It is notable for being one of the few major rivers in North America that flows northward for a significant portion of its course. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville.

Usage Notes

• "Saint Johns" (often written as "St. Johns") is used specifically as the name of this river. It is a proper noun and is typically capitalized.
• It is commonly referred to with the word "River" following it (e.g., the Saint Johns River).
• The name distinguishes this specific geographical feature from other places named St. John or Saint John.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Saint Johns is the longest river entirely within the state of Florida.
  • We went fishing on the Saint Johns River last weekend.
  • The city of Jacksonville developed around the mouth of the Saint Johns.

Advanced Usage

• The river's unique northward flow is a defining characteristic often mentioned in geographical descriptions.
• In historical contexts, the river has been an important transportation and trade route.

Variants and Related Words

• St. Johns: A common abbreviated written form of "Saint Johns".
• St. Johns River: The full, most common name for the geographical feature.

Different Meanings

• Saint John's (with an apostrophe 's') can refer to other places, such as the capital city of Antigua and Barbuda (St. John's). The specific referent is determined by context.
• The word "saint" and the name "John" are separate common nouns and proper nouns with their own definitions unrelated to this river.

Noun

1. a river in northeastern Florida that flows northward to Jacksonville and then eastward to empty into the Atlantic Ocean