variants or less commonly fiord
: 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.
Norwegian ‘Ferry Pancakes’ Crossing a fjord by car ferry in western Norway might seem like a purely practical part of your journey. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 Visitors from all over the world come to this gateway to the Sunnmøre region to cruise the fjords. Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 10 May 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 Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska The heart of Kenai Fjords is the Harding Icefield, a 700-square-mile sheet of ice that has shaped Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by leaving glaciers and carving fjords. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 21 Jan. 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 20 May. 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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