low-lying

adjective

low-ly·​ing ˈlō-ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce low-lying (audio)
1
: rising relatively little above the base of measurement
low-lying hills
2
: lying below the normal level, surface, or the base of measurement or mean elevation
low-lying clouds

Examples of low-lying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2024 The water washed through buildings downtown at head height, transforming the entirety of the flat, low-lying landscape into a sea pocked only by occasional trees and obstacles jutting from the water. Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024 In pioneer days, water from the nearby San Luis Rey River was diverted to the low-lying area for bathing, a laundry, and irrigating downstream crops. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024 Louisville's East End has a slight risk for damaging winds and flooding in low-lying areas. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024 Now operated by the Belmond Hotel Group, the low-lying property shines anew thanks to a $45 million overhaul by Tara Bernerd & Partners. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024 When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024 As a result, the Sierras can experience blizzards that would be unfathomable in low-lying areas, like a single storm in late March, which deposited more than 10 feet of snow at the Sugar Bowl ski resort over the course of four days. Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024 Flood prone locations like creeks, rivers, streams and other low-lying areas could be affected, according to the National Weather Service. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'low-lying.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of low-lying was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near low-lying

Cite this Entry

“Low-lying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low-lying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

low-lying

adjective
low-ly·​ing
ˈlō-ˈlī-iŋ
: having little upward extension or elevation
low-lying clouds
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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