Definition

A line or mark on a shore that shows the highest or lowest level reached by the tide, or a sign of past activity.

Example

The tidemark on the rocks showed how high the water had risen during the storm.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed the tidemark on the beach after a storm?

Yeah, it’s always interesting to see how high the water can get.

I wonder how long it takes for those marks to fade away.

It probably depends on the weather, but they usually stick around for a while.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tidemark is formed from "tide" (from Old English *tid*, meaning time or season) and "mark" (from Old English *mearc*, meaning boundary or limit). The word refers to the line or mark left by the highest point reached by the tide, indicating a boundary of water.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'time' ('tide') when the water reaches its highest point, and the 'mark' it leaves behind — that's what a tidemark represents.

Visually Confused Words