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
Search efforts began Tuesday afternoon after the military notified the Coast Guard that survivors were in the water about 400 miles southwest of the border between Mexico and Guatemala, the maritime service said in a statement.
—
Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
This effort includes regular phone conferences among the agencies and maritime shipping company crews to be aware of transportation schedules.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Analysts say the area has long been associated with illicit maritime trafficking and, more recently, with cocaine shipments moving through the Caribbean.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Navy has identified naval mines as one of the most cost-effective and persistent threats to maritime operations, particularly in choke points and near contested coastlines.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maritime
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Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
This effort includes regular phone conferences among the agencies and maritime shipping company crews to be aware of transportation schedules.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Analysts say the area has long been associated with illicit maritime trafficking and, more recently, with cocaine shipments moving through the Caribbean.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Navy has identified naval mines as one of the most cost-effective and persistent threats to maritime operations, particularly in choke points and near contested coastlines.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 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 5 Jan. 2026.
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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