Search Dictionary
Definition of orontes
orontes
/ɔːˈrɑːn.tiːz/
O · ron · tes
orontes Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major river in western Asia that flows northward from the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, passes through Syria, and crosses the Hatay province of Turkey before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
Example
"The ancient city of Antioch was strategically founded on the banks of the Orontes."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for orontes• Rhymes for orontes
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Ancient Greek Ὀρόντης (Oróntēs), a Hellenized form of an indigenous or Old Iranian name. In Arabic, it is known as Nahr al-Asi ('the rebel river') because it flows from south to north, an unusual direction for rivers in the Levant.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Orontes. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/orontes