A landform where a river splits into several smaller streams before flowing into the sea, often creating a triangle-shaped area of land. In science and math, it can also mean a change or difference, especially when written as the Greek letter Δ.
Named after the Greek letter *delta* (Δ), because the Nile River’s mouth looked like the triangular shape of the letter. The symbol later spread into mathematics and science to represent change or difference.
The same word connects geography, the Greek alphabet, and math symbols: a river delta literally looks like a giant letter Δ drawn on the earth. When scientists say 'delta x', they’re using that same shape to show a 'triangle of change' in a quantity.
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