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Definition of amu darya
amu darya
amu darya Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major river in Central Asia formed by the junction of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers, which historically flowed into the Aral Sea and serves as a vital water source for irrigation across the region.
Example
"Extensive Soviet irrigation projects heavily diverted the waters of the Amu Darya, contributing significantly to the shrinking of the Aral Sea."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for amu daryaWord Nuance & Usage
Because 'darya' translates directly to 'river' or 'sea' in Persian, saying 'the Amu Darya River' is technically a tautology, though it is commonly used in English for clarity.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the ancient city of Āmul (modern-day Türkmenabat) and the Persian word 'daryā', meaning 'river' or 'sea'. In antiquity, it was widely known by its Greek and Latin name, the Oxus.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Amu darya. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/amu darya