What does lagune mean?
A lagune is a shallow body of salt water lying along a coast and separated from the open sea by a sandbank, reef, spit, or similar natural barrier. Such waters may be bordered by beaches, marshes, mangroves, or coral formations and often provide sheltered habitat for fish and birds. The English word is now relatively uncommon: most modern speakers use “lagoon,” although “lagune” survives in regional usage, older literature, and occasional descriptive writing. It comes through French from Italian, ultimately tracing to a Latin word for a pool, hollow, or gap. In careful modern prose, choosing “lagoon” will usually sound more natural, but recognizing “lagune” is useful when reading historical texts or place names. Its rarity can lend a slightly picturesque or specialized quality to descriptions of coastal geography.
nounA shallow body of salt water separated from the sea by a sandbank, reef, or other natural barrier. The term is now chiefly encountered in regional or older English, with “lagoon” being the usual modern word.
- A shallow coastal body of water separated from the sea by a sandbank, reef, or similar barrier.
"Fishing boats sheltered in the shallow waters of the coastal lagune."
"Birds gathered around the brackish waters of the coastal lagune."
"The river once flowed directly into the sea, but sediment gradually turned the mouth into a lagune."
The regular plural is rarely encountered because the word itself is uncommon in standard modern English.
"The survey mapped several shallow lagunes along the delta."
Today’s “lagune” is the same familiar feature better known in English as a lagoon—a shallow coastal pool cut off from the open sea.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lagune come from?
The word entered English through French lagune, which was borrowed from Italian laguna. Italian laguna ultimately derives from Latin lacuna, a word for a pool, hollow, or cavity. The same Latin source also produced English cognates such as lacuna and lacunary, while related forms developed in Spanish and other Romance languages.
How lagune is actually used
This is an uncommon or regional English word, retained in some dialects and in older writing. In contemporary standard English, “lagoon” is normally preferred.