Fjord
noun /fjɔːd/ — A long, narrow sea inlet between steep cliffs
Definition
A long, narrow inlet of the sea between high cliffs — typically formed by glacial erosion. An enclosed arm of the sea cut deep into the land.
Beyond the definition
The landscape of impossible enclosure. A fjord is where the sea comes inland to be held by stone — water that has agreed to become part of the land's geography.
Origin & history
From Norwegian 'fjord', Old Norse 'fjörðr' (inlet). Entered English in the 17th century through contact with Scandinavian geography.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The ship moved slowly through the fjord, cliff walls rising on both sides into low cloud.
Fjords are made by patience — glaciers taking tens of thousands of years to cut their way to the sea.
There is a particular silence in a fjord — the walls contain it, prevent it from dispersing.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Fjord” when the meaning fits your context: A long, narrow inlet of the sea between high cliffs — typically formed by glacial erosion. An enclosed arm of the sea cut deep into the land.
Synonyms
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Fjord" mean?
Fjord is noun meaning: A long, narrow sea inlet between steep cliffs. A long, narrow inlet of the sea between high cliffs — typically formed by glacial erosion. An enclosed arm of the sea cut deep into the land.
Where does the word "Fjord" come from?
From Norwegian 'fjord', Old Norse 'fjörðr' (inlet). Entered English in the 17th century through contact with Scandinavian geography.