Beach: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ–๏ธ
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beach

 

[ biหtสƒ ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

at the seaside

A beach is a sandy or pebbly shore by the sea or a lake, usually sloping gently down to the water's edge. It is a popular destination for relaxation, sunbathing, swimming, and various water activities.

Synonyms

coast, seashore, shore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beach

A sandy or pebbly area along the edge of a sea, ocean, lake, or river, often used for relaxation, swimming, and other recreational activities.

  • Let's spend the day at the beach
  • The children were building sandcastles on the beach
shore

The land along the edge of a body of water, such as a sea, lake, or large river. A more general term that can be used in various contexts, including geography, literature, and everyday conversation.

  • We watched the boats from the shore
  • Fishermen were bringing in their catch by the shore
coast

The area where land meets the sea or ocean, usually referring to a broader geographical region. Used when discussing natural features, geography, or travel along the edge of the land.

  • We drove along the coast to see the beautiful views
  • The west coast of the country has many stunning cliffs
seashore

The land along the edge of the sea or ocean, ideal for more poetic or descriptive uses. Often implies a natural, untouched area without specific recreational facilities.

  • They enjoyed a quiet walk along the seashore at sunset
  • The seashore was lined with beautiful shells and driftwood

Examples of usage

  • People love to sunbathe on the beach during the summer.
  • We built sandcastles on the beach with the kids.
  • The beach was crowded with tourists enjoying the warm weather.
Context #2 | Verb

informal

To beach something is to run or drive it onto the shore, especially in an emergency.

Synonyms

ground, strand.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beach

Commonly used to describe a sandy or pebbly area by the edge of the sea or a lake where people go to relax, swim, and have fun.

  • We spent the day sunbathing on the beach.
  • The children built sandcastles on the beach.
strand

An archaic or literary term for shore or beach. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation and might be found more in poetry or literature.

  • They walked along the lonely strand at twilight.
  • The ship was stranded on the windswept strand.
ground

Generally refers to the solid surface of the Earth. It is a broad term and can be used in many contexts, but does not specifically refer to a beach or coastal area.

  • He fell to the ground while playing soccer.
  • The ground was covered in snow.

Examples of usage

  • The captain had to beach the boat to prevent it from sinking.
  • The pilot skillfully beached the plane after engine failure.

Translations

Translations of the word "beach" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น praia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคฎเฅเคฆเฅเคฐ เคคเคŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Strand

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pantai

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะปัะถ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ plaลผa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ“ใƒผใƒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท plage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ playa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท plaj

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•ด๋ณ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุงุทุฆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ plรกลพ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ plรกลพ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆตทๆปฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ plaลพa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ strรถnd

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐา“ะฐะถะฐะน

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒœแƒแƒžแƒ˜แƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รงimษ™rlik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ playa

Etymology

The word 'beach' originated from Old English 'bรฆce' which meant 'river bank' or 'shore of the sea'. Over time, it evolved to refer specifically to sandy or pebbly shores by the sea or a lake. Beaches have been popular for recreational purposes throughout history, with ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans enjoying seaside activities. Today, beaches are a key feature of many coastal regions and are synonymous with relaxation and leisure.

See also: beachbird, beachcomber, beachcombing, beachfront, beachhead.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,954, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.