Etymology Map
Back to all words

Polder

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a piece of low-lying land reclaimed from the sea

Where does the word "polder" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch polre, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
polre
Middle Dutch · medieval
"reclaimed land"
reclaimed land enclosed by dikes
2
Stage 2 of 2
polder
English · 1600s
"reclaimed land"
Dutch engineers such as Cornelius Vermuyden drained England's Fens in the 1600s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Polder’s story begins in Middle Dutch: polre meant “reclaimed land.” Reclaimed land enclosed by dikes. It reached English by 1600s as polder. Dutch engineers such as Cornelius Vermuyden drained England's Fens in the 1600s. Today, polder means a piece of low-lying land reclaimed from the sea.