A bay is defined as a recessed coastal body of water that connects directly to a larger main body of water, including oceans, lakes, or other bays. Depending on its size and specific characteristics, a large bay may be referred to by alternative terms such as a gulf, sea, sound, or bight.
Specific geographical variations include the cove, which is characterized as a small, circular bay with a narrow entrance. Additionally, an elongated bay formed specifically by glacial action is known as a fjord. The term embayment is also utilized to describe related features, such as freshwater environments or extinct bays.