meand-

1. An indirect course or route; especially, one with a series of twists, bends, and turns: The paths in the big city garden had a lot of meanders so people could see a variety of beautiful flowers and other plants.
2. The turns and windings of a stream channel in the shape of a series of loop-like bends: The multitudes of meanders in the river make it difficult for Betty and Bob to sail their boat.
3. An ornamental design, popular in ancient Greek art and architecture, made by a continuous line that forms square shapes by doubling back on itself: Mildred's mother was skilled in making the ancient meanders in her curtain patterns.

1. To follow an indirect route or course; especially, one with a series of curves and turns: It takes a long time for the local river to meander to the sea.

When a river, stream, or road follows a route which is not straight or direct; then it meanders.
2. To move in a leisurely way, or in a slow walk or journey; especially, for pleasure or because of a lack of motivation: Last Sunday Jill and Sam spent most of the day meandering through the local park enjoying its natural beauty.
3. Walking slowly without any clear direction: The visitors meandered around the streets of the old town all afternoon.
4. To write a text that shows no clear direction: The novel meandered along with no perceived story line.
5. To go from one topic to another one without any clear direction: The politician meandered on for a long time with his speech without clearly stating his objectives.

A line delineated by government survey for the purpose of defining the bends or windings of the banks of a stream or the shore of a body of water, and as a means for determining the quantity of land embraced by the survey.

A reference to anything that frequently deviates and changes its course or exists in a labyrinthine or tangling irregular pattern: Sometimes it was difficult for visitors to find an office in the meandered complex of offices of the business building.

1. Anyone who follows a winding and turning procedure: Sally and Jim met another meanderer on the forest path who was also enjoying the fresh fragrance of the pine trees and the birds chirping.
2. Those who move aimlessly and idly without a fixed direction or objective: Sharon didn’t meet any other meanderers while she was walking through the park in the late afternoon.

Relating to moving slowly in no particular direction or with no obviously clear objective: The explorer delivered a meandering report about his early travels.

In a twisting and winding procedure: The creek ran meanderingly through the valley.

Talk which continues for a longer time than is necessary and which is often not interesting: The meanderings of the guest speaker in the philosophy class caused many of the students to be very bored.

A reference to a mazelike or rambling situation: It is easy to get lost in some cities because of their meandrous streets.

Relating to curving or bending, twisting, and turning conditions: The meandry stream through the forest was zigzagging with so many abrupt left and right turns that it was impossible for anyone to safely go through that section with any kind of boat.