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Definition of irrawaddy

irrawaddy

/ˌɪrəˈwɑːdi/
Ir · ra · wad · dy

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irrawaddy Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The principal river of Myanmar (Burma), flowing from north to south through the center of the country and emptying into the Andaman Sea via a large delta.

Example

"The Irrawaddy serves as a vital commercial waterway and has historically been the economic lifeblood of Myanmar."

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'Irrawaddy' remains the traditional and most recognized English name, the official government romanization in Myanmar is 'Ayeyarwady'. The word is also commonly used attributively, as in the Irrawaddy dolphin.

• Rhymes for irrawaddy

Word Origin & Etymology

Anglicized from the Burmese name 'Ayeyarwady' (ဧရာဝတီ), which is likely derived from the Pali or Sanskrit 'Iravati', a mythological sacred river.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Irrawaddy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/irrawaddy
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