What does laguna mean?
A laguna is a shallow coastal lagoon, typically an inlet separated from the open sea by sandbanks, reefs, or another natural barrier. Its sheltered waters often support fish, seabirds, mangroves, and other coastal wildlife. In English, the word is relatively uncommon and tends to occur in geographical names or in writing about Spanish-speaking regions, where it is more naturally used than the standard English term lagoon. A laguna may resemble a lake but is connected to the sea and is influenced by tides and changing salinity. The expression is especially associated with Latin America, although it can refer more generally to a lagoon in Spanish-speaking geographical usage. For most English speakers, however, lagoon is the clearest and most idiomatic term, while laguna chiefly adds cultural or regional specificity.
nounA lagoon, especially a shallow coastal inlet separated from the open sea by sandbanks or other barriers.
- A shallow coastal lagoon, especially one found in a Spanish-speaking region.
"Boats drifted across the sheltered laguna as the tide began to fall."
"Mangroves fringe the laguna and provide shelter for birds and small fish."
"The name Laguna often appears in the place names of Latin America."
The plural is used when referring to more than one lagoon.
"Several lagunas lie behind the coastal dunes."
From a Latin word for a pool or lake, this term carried the idea of inland water through Spanish and into English.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laguna come from?
The English word comes through Spanish laguna, from Latin lacuna, meaning a pool, lake, or hollow. Its relatives include English lagoon and lagune, which also descend ultimately from Latin lacuna. The development from the Latin sense of an inland pool to a coastal lagoon was shaped especially by Spanish usage.
How laguna is actually used
This is an uncommon English borrowing and is encountered chiefly in place names, geographical writing, and contexts relating to Spanish-speaking regions. In ordinary English, lagoon is normally preferred.
Easily confused with laguna
A laguna is the Spanish term for a lagoon, while lagoon is the standard English word.