Definition of "creek" []

• A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run. (noun)
• A channel or stream running through a salt marsh: tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife. (noun)
• Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove. (noun)
• Up the creek (without a paddle) Informal In a difficult, unfortunate, or inextricable position. (idiom)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Over the divide at the head of this creek is a tributary of the Big Windy."
• "The weather was so excellent yesteray -- cold and windy and grey -- that I took Big Dog for a walk over to the field by what I call the creek and what is actually, of course, a storm drain."
• "We're on our walk, over the Interstate Overpass, down by what I call the creek -- it's actuall more like a storm drain, but it collects rocks and pebbles at this bit where it curves, and I like to take the kid there so I can mess around in the rocks."