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Definition of irrawaddy
irrawaddy
/ˌɪrəˈwɑːdi/
Ir · ra · wad · dy
irrawaddy Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• 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."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for irrawaddyWord 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