1
a
: a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth
broadly : the waters of the earth as distinguished from the land and air
b
: a body of salt water of second rank more or less landlocked
the Mediterranean sea
c
: ocean
d
: an inland body of water
used especially for names of such bodies
the Caspian Sea
2
a
: surface motion on a large body of water or its direction
also : a large swell or wave
often used in plural
heavy seas
b
: the disturbance of the ocean or other body of water due to the wind
3
: something likened to the sea especially in vastness
a sea of faces
4
: the seafaring life
5
sea adjective
Phrases
at sea
1
: on the sea
specifically : on a sea voyage
2
to sea
: to or on the open waters of the sea

Examples of sea in a Sentence

the seas of the Southern Hemisphere millions of plants and animals live in the sea
Recent Examples on the Web Or, dive under the sea with The Little Mermaid Ultimate Ariel Sisters Doll Set from Mattel, which comes with each of the seven sisters and is 40% off at Amazon. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 24 Nov. 2023 Their cinematic compositions impel the eye to rush across land and sea, while offering a sense of the slow accumulation of random particles that gradually become mountains and oceans. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 When almost a dozen marching bands make their way through the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, there will be a sea of maroon and white. Char Adams, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023 Videos posted to TikTok at the time showed a sea of employees swaying to Coldplay’s hits, getting sprayed by confetti and whipping their phones out to record the occasion. Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023 The medieval ramparts ripple over the hill like the tail of a mighty dragon, and the panorama swings around from the sparkling sea and port to the sunbaked city and mountains. Lisa Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023 For example, fish in warming seas have shifted to cooler, deeper waters that have dramatically different light intensity and color range than their visual systems are used to. Sean O'Donnell, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2023 The French city by the sea is home to Cours Julien neighborhood, which also made its way to Time Out’s coolest neighborhoods list in 2023. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 Nov. 2023 The hard-side suitcases come in multiple colors and finishes, including a coastal blue polycarbonate option that’s easy to spot in a sea of otherwise black bags on the luggage carousel. Erica Finamore, wsj.com, 12 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English see, from Old English ; akin to Old High German sea, Goth saiws

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sea

Cite this Entry

“Sea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

sea

noun
1
a
: a great body of salty water that covers much of the earth
also : the waters of the earth
b
: a body of salt water not as large as an ocean
the Mediterranean Sea
d
: an inland body of water either salt or fresh
the Sea of Galilee
2
: rough water
a high sea swept the deck
3
: something suggesting the sea (as in great size or depth)
a golden sea of wheat
4
: a life involving marine travel
hoped to make a career of the sea
5
sea adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sea

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