1
: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surfed; surfing; surfs
1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest
: to scan the offerings of (such as television or the Internet) for something of interest
surfer
noun
Examples of surf in a Sentence
Noun
We could hear the roar of the surf.
beachgoers romping in the swirling surf
Verb
He learned to surf when he was living in California.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
The Coast Guard and the Maui Fire Department sent crews to search for the man, according to officials, and he was spotted by helicopter at about 9:40 a.m.
A rescue swimmer was deployed, and the helicopter crew hoisted the man from the surf, officials said.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
When not admiring this natural wonder, go surfing, explore the ocean pools and volcanic rock formations, or admire the historic terrace houses from the 1880s.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
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Noun
Getting into the ocean can require special equipment or a helping hand for those who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the surf on their own.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
The Coast Guard and the Maui Fire Department sent crews to search for the man, according to officials, and he was spotted by helicopter at about 9:40 a.m.
A rescue swimmer was deployed, and the helicopter crew hoisted the man from the surf, officials said.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
In 2010, Benjamin himself nearly drowned while surfing on Lake Michigan in Portage.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
When not admiring this natural wonder, go surfing, explore the ocean pools and volcanic rock formations, or admire the historic terrace houses from the 1880s.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
Cite this Entry
“Surf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surf. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surf
1 of 2 noun1
: waves that break upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surf
2 of 2 verb1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest
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