Word of the Day: Arroyo

 

noun 1. A steep-sided gully formed by the action of fast-flowing water in an arid or semi-arid region, found chiefly in the southwestern U.S.

"My brothers and I used to spend the summer exploring the arroyo behind our neighborhood." "The hikers were warned of the risk of flash floods in the arroyo." "Coyote tracks could be seen along the bottom of the arroyo."

Spanish, late 18th century

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"Arroyo" is borrowed from Spanish (in which it means "stream") to name a particular kind of steep-sided gully formed over time by fast-moving water. This type of land feature is commonly found in the southwestern United States, an area that was originally settled by the Spanish.