Definition

Proper noun: * A narrow strait: "Verrazano Narrows" is the name of a specific, narrow tidal strait in New York Harbor. It connects the upper and lower sections of the bay and separates the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Usage

• The term is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific geographical feature. It is often used in contexts related to New York City geography, history, transportation, and engineering.
• Example: "The Verrazano Narrows is a crucial waterway for maritime traffic entering New York Harbor."

Advanced Usage

• The strait is famously spanned by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. While the bridge's name is a compound term, the strait itself is the primary referent of "Verrazano Narrows."
  • Example: "The bridge was engineered to withstand the strong winds common in the Verrazano Narrows."

Variants and Related Words

• The Narrows: A common shortened form used locally and in historical contexts to refer to the same strait.
  • Example: "Historically, ships passed through the Narrows to reach the port of New York."
• Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (compound noun): The full name of the bridge that crosses the strait.

Synonyms

• Strait
• Channel
• Waterway

Notes on Meaning

• The name commemorates the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who is believed to have been the first European to enter New York Bay in 1524.
• As a proper noun, it is typically capitalized.

Noun

1. a narrow channel of water separating Staten Island and Brooklyn