meander Hear it!

meander Definition

me·ander (mē an′dər)

noun

  1. windings or convolutions, as of a stream
  2. an ornamental pattern of winding or crisscrossing lines
  3. an aimless wandering; rambling

Etymology: L maeander < Gr maiandros < Maiandros, the Maeander (noted for its winding course)

intransitive verb

  1. to take a winding or tortuous course: said of a stream
  2. to wander aimlessly or idly; ramble

meander Related Forms

me·an′drous (-drəs) adjective

Meander Definition

Me·ander (mē an′dər)

Maeander

meander Synonyms

meander

v.

  1. To turn

    recoil, change, twine; see turn 2, wind 3.

  2. To wander

    twist and turn, roam, drift; see ramble 3, walk 1.

meander Usage Examples

Object

  • rift: Continuing further along the meandering rift a junction is met with a 35m high aven straight ahead.
  • river: Using maps to study channel migration of a meandering river.
  • stream: Here the design of swallows flying over a meandering stream evokes the feeling of a cool breeze on a lazy summer's day.
  • passage: From here a narrow, meandering stream passage is followed downstream with climbs up to higher levels giving the best route.
  • lane: Meander the lanes on a heritage bus, or the waterways at the helm of a canal boat.
  • path: To my left a meandering golden path finally curves on the horizon.

Preposition: through

  • farmland: From here follow the flight of the kingfisher along the canal which meanders through more farmland to Park Lime Pits.
  • meadow: In summer, trails meander through flower meadows alive with wildlife.
  • countryside: Inland, narrow country lanes meander through the lush green countryside to idyllic villages of thatched cottages.
  • woodland: Then the walk meanders through woodland to join a quiet road to Muthill.
  • valley: As well as crossing the high moors the trail meanders through the wooded valleys of the moorland fringes and visits many attractive villages.
  • forest: Miles of waymarked trails meander through the forests at Fort Augustus, to some of the finest viewpoints of Loch Ness.

Adjective modifier

  • gentle: This is a gentle, evocative meander through a normal childhood.
  • slow: For the real flavor of Corfu do not miss a slow meander through the beautiful countryside of the quiet central areas.

Modifying Another Word

  • aimlessly: A tree might lurk menacingly, or a bed might meander aimlessly.
  • gently: The river and shallow valley which meander gently through this region lend greatly to its overall rural appeal.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • along: Sometimes the Count meanders along, changing direction at random.
  • through: We are now entering the pleasant suburbs of Tettenhall and The Wergs, which we meander through before reaching rural Staffordshire.
  • around: The resistors are formed by copper tracks on the circuit board; you can see them meandering around on the lower picture.

Preposition: of

river: The property is located on a meander of the river with almost a mile of river frontage.