ocean

noun, often attributive

\ ˈō-shən

plural oceans

Definition of ocean

1a : the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the earth The ocean covers most of our planet, regulates our weather and climate, absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, provides most of our oxygen, and feeds much of the human population. — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

b : any of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is divided the oceans of the world

2 : a very large or unlimited quantity or expanse Could have made oceans of money.— James Joyce He would have oceans of time for his ride.— P. G. Wodehouse Jutting from an ocean of prairie, they [the Sangre de Cristo mountains] run north-south like an iguana spine … — Skiing

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing ocean Learn More About ocean

Examples of ocean in a Sentence

We've sailed across hundreds of miles of ocean. the Pacific and Indian oceans

Recent Examples on the Web Foord is speaking on a panel about how the ocean’s natural systems can help humans learn to combat impacts of climate change. — Curt Anderson And Cody Jackson, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022 Foord is speaking on a panel about how the ocean’s natural systems can help humans learn to combat impacts of climate change. — Curt Anderson And Cody Jackson, Anchorage Daily News, 9 May 2022 The series of photos show Carey enjoying some of the finer things in life with her two mini-mes, from backyard fireworks to birthday parties to sunset snuggles by the ocean. — Hattie Lindert, PEOPLE.com, 8 May 2022 Moist air off the ocean will lower the marine layer to within 2,000 feet of the ground on Monday and Tuesday, keeping San Diego’s daytime high from surpassing 66, says the National Weather Service. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022 While the notorious drink bottle destined to pollute the ocean is the stereotypical image of plastics, moldable synthetic materials make possible everything from lightweight vehicles to pipelines to medical equipment. — Kyle Harper, WSJ, 6 May 2022 The lighthouse has a truly Instagrammable tree swing facing the ocean and tours every Wednesday and Saturday. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2022 This includes pictures of grim tract housing near the ocean, but focuses primarily on beach and boardwalk denizens. — Washington Post, 6 May 2022 Choose from two bestselling styles, both of which use classic black frames as the canvas to display Malin’s popular beach and ocean images. — Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 5 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ocean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ocean

Middle English occean "the sea flowing around the land mass of the known world," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin Ōceanus, borrowed from Greek Ōkeanós, probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

Note: Preserved variants of Greek Ōkeanós, as Ōgḗn, Ōgenós, Ōgēnós, may indicate that the velar stop, whatever its original voicing, was palatalized (hence *ūkʸān-?)—strongly suggesting non-Indo-European origin. Old attempts to find an Indo-European origin (as a comparison with Sanskrit ā-śayāna- "lying on") are unconvincing.