Riverbed

/ˈrɪvɚbɛd/ noun

Definition

The ground at the bottom of a river, including the soil and rock that the water flows over.

Etymology

A compound word combining 'river' (from Latin 'riparius') and 'bed' (Old English 'bedd'). The compound formed naturally in English to describe the physical location where a river rests.

Kelly Says

Riverbeds are like time capsules—archaeologists find artifacts, fossils, and evidence of ancient civilizations in them because rivers have been depositing material there for millions of years!

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