billabong

Billabong is a term used in Australian English to describe an oxbow lake or permanent pool that forms when a river changes course and creates a cut-off, leaving a side channel and a water-filled depression. These waterholes often persist through dry periods and can be fed by groundwater, rainfall, or small streams. They are common in the river valleys of arid and semi-arid regions across Australia and can support a range of wildlife, including birds, fish, and amphibians.

Etymology and usage: The word billabong derives from an Indigenous Australian language, with the term widely associated with Wiradjuri and other regional languages. In Australian geography and culture, billabongs are frequently referenced in literature, art, and spoken language as distinctive features of the landscape and as symbols of water scarcity and resilience.

Brand name: Billabong is also the name of a multinational Australian surfwear and board-sports company established in the 1970s on the Gold Coast. The company designs and markets swimwear, clothing, footwear, and accessories and has grown into a global brand with a presence in many markets, sponsorships of surfing events and athletes, and a network of retail stores and e-commerce channels.

See also: Oxbow lake, Geography of Australia, Surfwear industry.