wetland
gb/wˈɛtlˌænd/ us/wˈɛtlˌænd/
B2
English
~ 5500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
area of land saturated with water
Land that is often covered with water and has special plants that can live in very wet ground, like marshes and swamps.
Usage pattern:
in [a] wetland
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'wetland' just means any land that is wet after rain. In English, a wetland is a special type of natural area that is wet for long periods and has plants and animals that are adapted to this. Learners also sometimes use only the plural 'wetlands' when a single area is meant (correct: 'this wetland', not only 'these wetlands').
Synonyms
marsh (A specific type of wetland with soft-stemmed plants and shallow water; not all wetlands are marshes.)
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swamp (A wetland that usually has trees and shrubs; some wetlands are swamps but many are not.)
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bog (An acidic, peat-filled type of wetland; narrower and more technical than the general term 'wetland'.)
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wetland area (A slightly more explicit phrase, often used in planning or conservation contexts.)
Antonyms
dry land (Emphasizes land that is not water-saturated and is generally solid and dry underfoot.)
Collocations
wetland habitat
|wetland ecosystem
|wetland restoration
|wetland conservation
|coastal wetlands
|constructed wetland
Themes
environment
|geography
|science
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new highway route was changed to protect a nearby wetland that is home to rare birds.
- Wetland loss has reduced natural flood protection for the coastal city.
- Scientists are studying how this wetland filters pollutants from the river water.
- Many frogs, insects, and waterfowl depend on the wetland for breeding and feeding.
- The park includes a boardwalk that lets visitors walk safely through the wetland without damaging it.
Learner examples
- The town wants to save the wetland next to the river.
- Many birds live in this wetland all year.
- We walked on a wooden path over the wetland.
- This wetland helps clean the water before it goes to the lake.
- Beavers built a dam that created a new wetland.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wetland
IPA
GB/wˈɛtlˌænd/
US/wˈɛtlˌænd/
Syllables & stress
wet - land (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (wet)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wetland
- Plural: wetlands
Word family
Expressions
constructed wetland
1/kənstɹˈʌktɪd wˈɛtlˌænd/
fixed phrase
technical
man-made wetland for treatment
A wetland that people build, often to clean dirty water or to create habitat for wildlife.
Examples
- The town uses a constructed wetland to treat wastewater before it enters the river.
- Engineers designed a constructed wetland to replace some of the natural marsh that was lost.
wetland conservation
1/wˈɛtlˌænd kˌɑnsɚvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
protecting wetlands from damage
Actions to protect wetlands so they are not destroyed or hurt.
Examples
- Wetland conservation is a key part of the country's climate strategy.
- Local schools teach students about wetland conservation through field trips.
wetland conservation area
1/wˈɛtlˌænd kˌɑnsɚvˈeɪʃən ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
protected wetland region
A piece of wetland that the government or another group keeps safe and does not allow to be built on or damaged.
Examples
- The city redesigned the plan so the new houses would not touch the wetland conservation area.
- Fishing is not allowed inside the wetland conservation area to protect rare species.
wetland ecosystem
1/wˈɛtlˌænd ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
ecological system in a wetland
All the living things and physical conditions together in a wetland, working as a system.
Examples
- Climate change is already affecting the wetland ecosystem by changing water levels and temperatures.
- The wetland ecosystem stores large amounts of carbon in its soil and plants.
wetland habitat
1/wˈɛtlˌænd hˈæbətˌæt/
fixed phrase
living environment in a wetland
The place in a wetland where animals and plants live.
Examples
- The new nature reserve was created to protect important wetland habitat for migrating birds.
- Pollution from nearby farms is damaging the wetland habitat of frogs and turtles.
wetland restoration
1/wˈɛtlˌænd ɹˌɛstɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
repairing or recreating wetlands
Work done to bring a damaged or lost wetland back to a healthy, more natural state.
Examples
- The government is investing millions in wetland restoration to reduce flooding.
- Volunteers joined a wetland restoration project, planting native grasses along the shore.