billabong

English

Etymology

From Wiradjuri bilabang, likely a compound from Wiradjuri bila (“river”) and Wiradjuri bong or Wiradjuri bung (“dead”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈbɪləˌbɒŋ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈbɪləˌbɔŋ/
  • (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈbɪləˌbɑŋ/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

billabong (plural billabongs)

1. (Australia) An anabranch, backwater or oxbow lake that is temporarily cut off from the main river, especially one that is only filled with water during the rainy season and can sometimes dry up completely.
   • 1895, “Waltzing Matilda”, Banjo Paterson (lyrics)‎^[1]:

     Oh there once was a swagman camped in the billabong,
     Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
     And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling,
     'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda, with me.'

Translations

Australian backwater lake

• Anindilyakwa: awurukwa
• Australian Kriol: bilabong
• Bilinarra: langkarna
• Gaagudju: bardaambarda
• Gurindji Kriol: bilibong
• Gurr-Goni: gugóndu
• Jingulu: biningkurru n, bunungkurru n, langkana m
• Kamu: ngudetu
• Limilngan: ulungaruk
• Margany: waran
• Matngala: garwa
• Maung: wurl
• Narla: yinta
• Nunggubuyu: wurugu
• Wagiman: langgarnin
• Wiradjuri: bilabang