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streambed

streambed

1 4.9
The ground where a river flows now or used to flow
  • noun
  • /ˈstriːmˌbɛd/
translation icon : cauce
  • The coarsening of the streambed can, in turn, reduce habitat availability for the many aquatic species living in or using interstitial spaces.
  • a dry streambed
  • an ancient streambed
  • streambed erosion

Examples

  • The geologist examined the rocks along the streambed to gather evidence of the area's geological history.

  • Finally, we reached a sandy streambed where several figures could be seen sitting on logs, hammering stones together.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • We'll walk slowly, so as not to stir up the streambed any more than we have to.

  • We head to the streambed between acres and acres of sorrel-tasseled corn.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • But soon enough, the surge of adrenaline they had caused was used up by a hard scramble up a dry streambed.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We fished the middle, dropping our baits over what Harold said was the old streambed where a current of cooler water ran deep.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • We drove out to a gravel pit in a dry streambed, took giant shovels, and filled the bed of the truck with gravel.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Today, these egg-containing streambed nests are preserved as irregular depressions, three to four feet across, in pink or gray sandstone.

    Academic text (2002)
  • As we hiked through the forest, we followed the trail that wound along the ancient streambed of a river long gone.

  • After the heavy rain, we noticed how the streambed had changed shape, revealing new stones and debris.

Synonyms

channel
vsstreambed
57 3.8

A deep narrow waterway that ships can use

is the place for a stream or river specifically not all water passages
riverbed
vsstreambed
18 3.0

The ground at the bottom of a river where water flows

is the channel for either a stream or a river rather than only rivers
creek bed
vsstreambed
  • US
6 3.4

The dry or wet bottom of a small stream where water flows

applies to channels of either stream or river rather than only small ones
river bottom
vsstreambed
3 2.9

The ground at the lowest part of a river channel where water flows

focuses on the channel occupied by stream or river not only the lowest ground
watercourse
vsstreambed
1 4.8

A channel, natural or man-made, where water flows like a river

is the same idea but restricted to streams or rivers rather than any channel
riverway
vsstreambed
3.8

The natural channel that a river follows through the land

is the channel occupied by stream or river not limited to natural courses

How Big

gorge
32 5.3
riverbed
18 3.0
channel
57 3.8
streambed
1 4.9
rill
3 8.6

Surface Forms

streambed singular
streambeds plural

Morphology

streambed = stream + bed (transparent) = stream + bed

A direct, literal combination of 'stream' and 'bed' denoting the channel or bottom where a stream flows.

Etymology

The word streambed comes from the parts stream and bed. Stream means 'flowing water' and bed means a 'place to lie', so a streambed is the ground where a stream lies or flows.