variants or less commonly
: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
the fjords of Norway

Illustration of fjord

Illustration of fjord

Examples of fjord in a Sentence

a cruise through the breathtaking fjords along the coast of Norway
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.
Cruise ships have long been a contentious issue in Norwegian fjords, especially in UNESCO World Heritage areas like Geiranger. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 The country’s vast ice sheet, glaciers, deep fjords and abundance of marine life, including whales, are the key attractions, while pride in the local Inuit culture is also growing. Reuters, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 Once a summer-only endeavour, Norway’s fjord region is now very much a year-round cruise destination. David Nikel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 One of the best ways to explore the fjords in the spring is on a smaller cruise ship. David Nikel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fjord

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian fjord, from Old Norse fjǫrthr — more at ford

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fjord was in 1674

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fjord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fjord. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

fjord

noun
variants also fiord
fē-ˈȯrd
: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
Etymology

Norwegian

More from Merriam-Webster on fjord

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