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Glite Dictionary
Harlem River

Harlem River

3.0
A narrow stretch of water between Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City
  • proper noun
  • /ˈhɑːrləm ˈrɪvər/
translation icon : río Harlem
  • The Harlem River flows between Manhattan and the Bronx.

Examples

  • The Harlem River is an important waterway for local transportation and recreation.

  • Kayakers often paddle along the Harlem River during the summer months.

  • Many bridges cross the Harlem River connecting Manhattan and the Bronx.

  • Can you see the Harlem River from the bridge?

  • The Bronx is located across the Harlem River from Manhattan.

  • Many runners enjoy the scenic views along the Harlem River during their morning jogs.

  • We decided to take a boat ride along the Harlem River to see the city from a different perspective.

Surface Forms

Harlem River main

Morphology

Harlem + river

This is a toponym formed by combining the place name 'Harlem' with the noun 'river', so the meaning (the river associated with Harlem) is directly derivable from its parts. Place-name + feature constructions are cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Harlem River gets its name from early Dutch settlers who named the area after the town 'Haarlem' in the Netherlands. Because the water ran beside the settlement called Harlem, people began to call that water the Harlem River, which is why today it names the water between Manhattan and the Bronx.