n. A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run.n. A channel or stream running through a salt marsh: tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife. n. Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.idiom. up the creek (without a paddle) Informal In a difficult, unfortunate, or inextricable position.