Definition

Proper noun * The Thames River: The longest river entirely in England. It flows in an easterly direction, passing through the city of London before emptying into the North Sea. It is a historically, economically, and culturally significant waterway.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • London is situated on the Thames River.
  • Many famous bridges cross the Thames River, including Tower Bridge and London Bridge.
  • The Thames River is a major transport route and a source of water for the region.

Advanced Usage

• "The Thames": The river is very commonly referred to simply as "the Thames."
  • We took a boat tour on the Thames.
• "Father Thames": A personification of the river, often depicted in art and literature as an old, bearded man.
  • The statue of Father Thames can be seen at the source of the river.

Variants and Related Words

• Thames: The standard short form of the name.
  • The River Thames is tidal in London.
• Isis: An alternative name for the upper section of the Thames, particularly near and through the city of Oxford.
  • Students often go punting on the Isis in Oxford.

Synonyms

• The Thames
• River Thames

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Set the Thames on fire": (Idiom) To do something astonishing or remarkable. It is almost always used in the negative to suggest someone is not particularly exceptional.
  • He's a competent worker, but he'll never set the Thames on fire.

Noun

1. the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea