me·an·der
mē-ˈan-dər 
1
: a winding path or course
the new path, which he supposed only to make a few meanders—
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
especially
: labyrinth
2
: a turn or winding of a stream
The meander eventually became isolated from the main stream.
meandered; meandering
mē-ˈan-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to follow a winding or intricate course
across the ceiling meandered a long crack—John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy2
: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble
he meandered with the sightseers gawping at the boat people—John le Carré
John le Carré
Did you know?
Meander comes from Greek Maiandros, an old name for a winding river in Asia Minor that is now known as the Menderes. Despite this origin, the word is more commonly used to refer to a person's wandering course than a river's.
Synonyms
Examples of meander in a Sentence
Verb
The path meanders through the garden.
We meandered around the village.
The conversation meandered on for hours.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024
Deer meander through the landscape, eating a bite of tender foliage, a flower or two, and another bite of foliage a few steps later.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2024
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
In these newly urbanized areas, state highways that had previously meandered through the countryside were now lined with retail and housing.
—David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meander 
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Noun
Almost without thought, visitors are compelled to take a seat the same way water bends at a meander.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024
Deer meander through the landscape, eating a bite of tender foliage, a flower or two, and another bite of foliage a few steps later.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
There is no room for words that are meandering, that are trying to find themselves, or to be found.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
In these newly urbanized areas, state highways that had previously meandered through the countryside were now lined with retail and housing.
—David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meander
Dictionary Entries Near meander
Cite this Entry
“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meander. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meander
1 of 2 noun
me·an·der
mē-ˈan-dər
1
: a turn or winding of a stream
2
: a winding path or course
meander
2 of 2 verb
meandered; meandering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to follow a winding or complicated course
2
: to wander without a goal or purpose
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