plural oceans
often attributive
1
a
: 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

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
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.
He’s taught at FAU for about 20 years and goes out for regular jaunts in the ocean to tag sharks with transmitters so investigators can track their behavior. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2025 Over 90 million Americans swim in pools, lakes and oceans every year, and one-third of that group swims regularly for fitness. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025 Topping off the high-rise will be an upscale rooftop bar and lounge that will be known as the Lurline Cocktail Club, which will showcase 360-degree views of San Diego’s skyline, bay and ocean. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025 Palms, ocean waves and hibiscus flowers were also recurrent motifs popping on cashmere and wool styles — ranging from a coat to a crewneck knit — as well on a lighter wool and silk shirt and pants. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ocean

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ocean was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ocean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ocean. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ocean

noun
1
: the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the earth
2
: one of the large bodies of water into which the ocean is divided
oceanic
ˌō-shē-ˈan-ik
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ocean

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