Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 15, 2025, is meander. As a verb, meander means to follow a winding or intricate course. It also describes walking slowly without a specific purpose or direction. An example illustrates this with a hike that meanders through neighborhoods. Similarly, a river can meander through a canyon. The word entered English in the late 16th century as a noun meaning a stream's turn. Its etymology traces back to the Greek name for a river, Maiandros. The verb form, dating to the early 17th century, carries both meanings of winding course and rambling. While originating from a river's path, meander is now more frequently applied to human movement.