marina: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; common in nautical, tourism, and geographical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “marina” mean?
A specially designed harbour with docks and facilities for yachts, pleasure boats, and small vessels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specially designed harbour with docks and facilities for yachts, pleasure boats, and small vessels.
In a broader context, it can refer to the associated infrastructure, the community of boat owners, or the commercial area surrounding such a harbour. It is also a common female given name and a place name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The word is equally common in both varieties. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Connotes leisure, affluence, and coastal life in both cultures.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties, correlating with coastal geography and boating culture.
Grammar
How to Use “marina” in a Sentence
[marina] + for + [type of boat] (a marina for superyachts)[marina] + with + [facility] (a marina with a clubhouse)[marina] + in + [location] (a marina in the Balearics)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism, real estate, and marine industry reports (e.g., 'The marina development is expected to boost local tourism').
Academic
Used in geography, urban planning, or environmental studies (e.g., 'The study assessed the ecological impact of the new marina').
Everyday
Common in travel and leisure conversation (e.g., 'We kept our sailboat at the marina for the summer').
Technical
Used in nautical engineering, marine architecture, and harbour management contexts (e.g., 'The marina's breakwater design mitigates wave energy').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marina”
- Using 'port' or 'harbour' interchangeably without noting the leisure-specific nature of a marina (e.g., 'The industrial port had several marinas' – incorrect if referring to cargo docks).
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (/ˈmærɪnə/) instead of the second (/məˈriːnə/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A harbour is a general term for a sheltered body of water where vessels can anchor safely. A marina is a specific type of harbour designed for leisure craft, with dedicated docks (berths) and services like water, electricity, and waste disposal.
No, 'marina' is exclusively a noun in standard modern English. The related verb for putting a boat into a marina is 'to berth' or 'to moor'.
A 'berth' is an individual space or slot within a marina (or harbour) where a single boat is moored. The marina is the entire facility containing many berths.
Yes, the standard plural is 'marinas' (e.g., 'We visited several marinas along the coast').
A specially designed harbour with docks and facilities for yachts, pleasure boats, and small vessels.
Marina is usually neutral to formal; common in nautical, tourism, and geographical contexts. in register.
Marina: in British English it is pronounced /məˈriːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈriːnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly featuring 'marina'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine MARINA as a place where MARINE (sea-related) vehicles are kept. 'Ma-RINA' sounds like 'my queen' in some languages – a queen deserves a luxurious place for her boat.
Conceptual Metaphor
A marina is a GARAGE FOR BOATS / A WATER PARKING LOT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely characteristic of a marina?