sandbar

noun

sand·​bar ˈsan(d)-ˌbär How to pronounce sandbar (audio)
Synonyms of sandbarnext
: a ridge of sand built up by currents especially in a river or in coastal waters

Examples of sandbar in a Sentence

We walked out onto the sandbar at low tide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Low water levels have exposed vast stretches of riverbanks, as well as long sandbars usually hidden deep beneath the surface. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026 Over the years, scuba diving brought me face-to-face with lemon, bull, silky, sandbar and nurse sharks off Florida's east coast. — Josh Blaylock, USA Today, 31 July 2026 After crashing into the Angler, Lawson continued traveling south, eventually anchoring on the sandbar, the report states. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 Boats anchor off the sandbar, allowing visitors to easily walk or float around for the day. — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sandbar

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sandbar was in 1766

Rhymes for sandbar

See All Rhymes for sandbar

Browse Nearby Words

sandbank
sandbar
sandbar willow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sandbar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sandbar. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sandbar

noun
sand·​bar -ˌbär How to pronounce sandbar (audio)
: a ridge of sand formed in water by tides or currents

More from Merriam-Webster on sandbar

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sandbar

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sandbar

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