I. noun
also la·gune ləˈgün
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Italian; French lagune, from Italian laguna, from Latin lacuna pit, pool, pond, from lacus lake — more at lake
1.
a. : a shallow sound, channel, pond, or lake near or communicating with the sea
lagoons of Venice
the lagoon of a coral island
— see atoll
b. : a shallow freshwater pond or lake usually near or communicating with a larger lake or a river
long freshwater lagoons yellow with lagoon flowers — Willa Cather
riverbed lagoons — American Guide Series: Arkansas
2.
[Italian lagone, aug. of lago, from Latin lacus ]
: a pool especially in a basin formed by a hot spring
3. : a shallow artificial pond for the natural oxidation of sewage and ultimate drying of the sludge
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to subject (sewage) to natural oxidation and drying in a lagoon