Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
billabong

billabong

3 9.6
A pool of water that stays after a river changes its path, often in Australia
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪləˌbɔŋ/
  • Australian
: billabong
  • Hundreds of dead fish have been found washed up in St. Peters Billabong.

Examples

  • Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council workers were at the billabong in St Peters Park earlier this afternoon removing the dead fish.

    Blog text (2)

  • The wildlife flourished along the banks of the billabong, where many birds would gather to drink.

  • I remember that night at the billabong.

    Blog text (12)

  • Now, I'm going to leave you in Mick's capable hands, and I'll meet you at the Echo Billabong on Wednesday.

    Crocodile Dundee (1986)

  • Hey, maybe we should go down to the billabong and get some chow for the ol' cake eater.

    Mrs. Ashboro's Cat (2003)

  • Camped by a billabong

    Backyard Ashes (2013)

  • There once was a swagman camped by a billabong Under the shade of the coolibah tree

    The Light Between Oceans (2016)

  • The children played happily at the billabong, splashing water and watching the ducks swim.

  • We set up our tents near the billabong, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature all around.

Surface Forms

billabong singular
billabongs plural

Etymology

Billabong comes from an Australian Aboriginal word bilabang, meaning 'a creek that only runs after rain' or 'a waterhole'. So a billabong is a pool or side branch left when a river changes course, and often the last water in the dry outback.