lagoon

 
Pronunciation: /ləˈguːn/

noun

  • a stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.
  • North American & Australian/NZ a small freshwater lake near a larger lake or river.
  • an artificial pool for the treatment of effluent or to accommodate an overspill from surface drains during heavy rain.

Derivatives

lagoonal

adjective

Origin:

early 17th century: from Italian and Spanish laguna, from Latin lacuna (see lacuna)