A bay is a part of the sea or a large lake that curves inward into the land. It is usually more sheltered than the open ocean.
“Bay” comes from Old French “baee,” meaning an opening, and from earlier Latin roots related to gaping or opening. Over time it came to refer specifically to water that opens into the land.
Many famous cities—like San Francisco and Havana—grew around bays because ships could anchor safely there. Bays are like the ocean’s parking lots: protected spots where people and goods can easily come and go.
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