inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

a

: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river

also : creek

b

: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon

2

: a way of entering

especially : an opening for intake

Synonyms of inlet

• bay
• estuary
• cove

Examples of inlet in a Sentence

The coast is dotted with tiny inlets.

went fishing in the quiet inlets of the coast

Recent Examples on the Web

An otter bobs in the inlet, an eagle glides across the sky, and a black bear ambles amidst old-growth forest on the distant shores. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The September 2026 surge was highest where the water was directed into shallow bays and inlets. — Brian Tang, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Most heat exchangers today monitor temperature and flow rates only at their inlet and outlet. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

Seasonal sand berms to limit coastal flooding and protect public safety will begin to go up along the beach in the next week, and the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet will also be dredged, likely in the first two weeks of November. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from its letting water in

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inlet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet 

-lət

1

: a small or narrow bay

2

: an opening for intake especially of fluids

Medical Definition

inlet

noun

in·​let ˈin-ˌlet, -lət 

: the upper opening of a bodily cavity

especially : that of the cavity of the true pelvis bounded by the pelvic brim