oceanic

adjective

oce·​an·​ic ˌō-shē-ˈa-nik How to pronounce oceanic (audio)
Synonyms of oceanicnext
1
a
: of or relating to the ocean
b
: occurring in or frequenting the ocean and especially the open sea as distinguished from littoral or neritic waters
2
: vast, great
3
Oceanic linguistics : relating to, belonging to, or characterizing a subfamily of the Austronesian family of languages that is spoken in Polynesia and most of the islands of Melanesia and Micronesia

Examples of oceanic in a Sentence

the theory that ancient mariners took advantage of oceanic currents to roam the seas on primitive rafts during his solo crossing of the Atlantic he managed to avoid the fierce oceanic storms that rage in those tropical latitudes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In scenes where Yura remembers her childhood and its connection to the beast, the animation takes on a gauzier, more primitive style that matches the film’s more cosmic, oceanic themes. Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026 Underwater suites with floor-to-ceiling windows peering directly into an aquarium with 65,000 animals furthers the oceanic theme, while a variety of dining and entertainment options ensure more than enough activity on land. Asa Canty, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026 The Afar region in the north, near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, is showing early versions of oceanic crust, Rowan said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026 This heat wave, which is the oceanic equivalent of a heat wave on land, could have broad ramifications for sea life, as warm water species like hammerhead sharks and bluefin tuna migrate into areas where they are normally not seen, and cold-water species move deeper and further north. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oceanic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Ōceanicus, from Ōceanus "the sea flowing around the land mass of the known world, ocean" + -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oceanic was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Oceanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oceanic. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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