Burn (landform) facts for kids

Views of Usway Burn

Usway Burn is a tributary of River Coquet in Northumberland

A burn is a small stream or a tiny river. People in places like Scotland, North East England, parts of Ulster (in Ireland), Australia, and New Zealand use this word. It's a common way to describe a small flow of water.

Where the Word 'Burn' Comes From

The word burn has a long history. It is related to an older English word, "bourne." You can still see "bourne" in place names today, like Bournemouth.

In German, a similar word is Born. This word means "well" or "spring." For example, the city of Paderborn in Germany uses this word. Both the English and German words come from a very old language called Proto-Germanic.

In Scottish Gaelic, the word bùrn means "fresh water." However, the actual Gaelic word for a small stream or "burn" is allt. Sometimes, you might see allt spelled as "ault" or "auld" in place names.

Places Named 'Burn'

Many places and waterways are named using the word "burn." This shows how common the term is in certain areas. Here are some examples:

See also

In Spanish: Burn (curso de agua) para niños