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Definition of american river
american river
american river Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
American A 30-mile-long river in northern California, United States, that flows from the Sierra Nevada mountain range to its confluence with the Sacramento River. It is historically significant as the site where gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848, an event that triggered the California Gold Rush.
Example
"Every year, thousands of students visit the American River to pan for gold and learn about the pioneers who migrated west during the mid-nineteenth century."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named 'El Río de los Americanos' (The River of the Americans) during the Mexican era of Alta California, in reference to the American fur trappers who explored and operated in the valley during the 1830s.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of American river. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/american river