What term describes rivers that bend or create winding curves?

The term "meanders" specifically refers to the naturally occurring winding curves or bends in a river's path. This term describes a common feature that occurs in the landscape as rivers flow over time. As water erodes the banks on the outer edges of the curve and deposits sediment on the inner edges, meanders develop and enhance the river's complexity. These characteristics can also influence the ecosystem around the river, creating diverse habitats.

While the other terms like loops, curves, and bends might intuitively describe similar features of a river, they are not the precise geological or hydrological terms used to define the specific process and effect of meandering. "Meanders" captures both the shape and the dynamic processes of sediment and erosion involved in the formation of these features, thus making it the most accurate choice.