I. ˈbēch noun
( -es )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : shore pebbles : shingle
2.
a. : a gently sloping shore of an ocean, sea, or lake or the bank of a river that is covered by sand, sand and gravel, or larger rock fragments, is usually originally water-borne, and is typically devoid of much vegetation : strand ; also : the deposit of sand, gravel, or rock fragments along a shore
b. : a seashore area
a vacation at the beach
c. in New Jersey : a low sand island along the coast
d. : a stretch of sand placed beside a bathing area for the bathers' pleasure and recreation
putting in a beach by the pool
e. : naval or mercantile offices or instrumentalities ashore
the beach handed over the sealed orders to the captain
f. : an African trading or shopping center not necessarily located near a shoreline
3. : a light olive gray to light grayish olive that is very slightly redder and paler than sage gray — called also chip, smoke yellow
•
- on the beach
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
1. : to run or haul (a ship) ashore or aground especially when mooring, anchoring, or docking is unfeasible or when quick landing of supplies and personnel is required
the mutineers beached the ship on the island
beaching the landing craft in the assault
2.
a. : to force or drive ashore or aground usually with considerable damage
the storm beached half the fleet
sinking one enemy ship and beaching another
b. : to draw ashore or moor and relegate to desuetude
III. adjective
: on, of, or relating to a beach ; often : designed for wear on a beach
lounging casually in a beach shirt