El Wad

El Wad (Arabic: الواد, also spelled Oued) is an Arabic term meaning "the river" or "the valley." It is commonly used as a placename element, particularly in North Africa. The presence of "El Wad" in a place name often indicates the presence of a riverbed, a wadi (dry riverbed that contains water only during periods of heavy rain), or a valley with a water source, either permanent or intermittent. The specific meaning can depend on the local dialect and the geographical context. The term is frequently combined with other words to form more descriptive toponyms.