maritime
adjective
mar·i·time
ˈmer-ə-ˌtīm 
ˈma-rə-
1
: of, relating to, or bordering on the sea
a maritime province
2
: of or relating to navigation or commerce on the sea
3
: having the characteristics of a mariner
Did you know?
The maritime countries of Portugal and England produced many seafaring explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries, many of whom sailed under the flags of other countries. Sailing for the Spanish, Ferdinand Magellan captained the ship that was the first to circle the world, charting many new maritime routes as it went. Henry Hudson, funded by the Dutch, sailed up what we call today the Hudson River, claiming the maritime area that now includes New York City for the Netherlands.
Examples of maritime in a Sentence
The country's maritime industry is an important part of its economy.
She's an expert in maritime law.
Recent Examples on the Web
China's assertive activities and excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea have been challenged by the United States, which has deployed warships to conduct freedom of navigation operations and patrols with allies and partners, including the Philippines.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Engineered for harsh terrain and maritime patrols The aircraft’s name is inspired by Zhang Qing from the classic novel Water Margin.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025
On both sides, there are shady passages through the maritime forest.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
However, China's continued expansion of its icebreaking fleet poses a potential challenge to U.S. maritime sovereignty if future Chinese operations fall outside legal parameters.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maritime
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Engineered for harsh terrain and maritime patrols The aircraft’s name is inspired by Zhang Qing from the classic novel Water Margin.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025
On both sides, there are shady passages through the maritime forest.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
However, China's continued expansion of its icebreaking fleet poses a potential challenge to U.S. maritime sovereignty if future Chinese operations fall outside legal parameters.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maritime
Cite this Entry
“Maritime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maritime. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maritime
adjective
mar·i·time
ˈmar-ə-ˌtīm
1
: of, relating to, or bordering on the sea
maritime nations
2
: of or relating to navigation or commerce on the sea
maritime law
Legal Definition
maritime
adjective
mar·i·time
ˈmar-ə-ˌtīm
: of or relating to navigation or commerce on navigable waters
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