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Definition of turkwel
turkwel
/ˈtɜːrkwɛl/
turk · wel
turkwel Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major river in northwestern Kenya that originates on the slopes of Mount Elgon and flows northeast to empty into Lake Turkana.
Example
"The semi-nomadic pastoralists rely heavily on the waters of the Turkwel River during the prolonged dry seasons."
2
A prominent gorge and site of a major hydroelectric dam situated along the Turkwel River in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya.
Example
"Engineers faced numerous geological challenges while constructing the power station at the Turkwel Gorge."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Pokot language word 'Tirkuwel', which roughly translates to 'a river that withstands the wilderness', reflecting its flow through the arid landscapes of northwestern Kenya.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Turkwel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/turkwel