merced
merced Lexical Profile
• noun
American A city in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, United States, serving as the county seat of Merced County and commonly known as the 'Gateway to Yosemite'.
"Many tourists stop in Merced to rest and gather supplies before continuing their drive up into Yosemite National Park."
American A river in central California, United States, that flows from the Sierra Nevada mountains through Yosemite Valley and into the San Joaquin Valley.
"The Merced River is famous for its steep drop-offs and spectacular waterfalls, providing vital water resources and scenic beauty to Yosemite."
• Rhymes for merced
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Spanish word 'merced' meaning 'mercy'. It was originally named by the 1806 Spanish expedition led by Gabriel Moraga, who named the local river 'El Río de Nuestra Señora de la Merced' (River of Our Lady of Mercy), from which the county and city later took their names.