Lehigh River

1 3.8

A river in eastern Pennsylvania in the USA that flows southeast into the Delaware River

proper noun
/ˈliːhaɪ ˈrɪvər/

: río Lehigh

The Lehigh River is popular for whitewater rafting and fishing during the summer months.

Examples

The autumn foliage along the Lehigh River attracts many photographers and tourists every year.
Several towns along the Lehigh River developed because of the coal and steel industries.
The Lehigh River flows through beautiful landscapes.
Have you ever visited the Lehigh River?
The Lehigh River is famous for its scenic views and recreational activities.
During spring, the Lehigh River is a great spot for canoeing and kayaking.
Many families enjoy picnics by the banks of the Lehigh River on warm weekends.

Surface Forms

Lehigh River main

Morphology

Lehigh + river

The compound is a proper-name + common-noun construction: knowing 'river' (a natural watercourse) and that 'Lehigh' functions as a name lets a B1 learner infer this is the name of a river. While the specific geographic details (eastern Pennsylvania) are not derivable from the parts, the basic referential meaning 'a river called Lehigh' is immediately clear, making the expression compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Lehigh River likely comes from a Native American word that early settlers heard and shortened. One popular story says the original name described where the river split into 'forks' or ran through wide, flat land, and people turned that long name into the short Lehigh, which is the name we use today.