oceanic

[ oh-shee-an-ik ]

adjective

1. of, living in, or produced by the ocean:

   oceanic currents.

2. Oceanography. of or relating to the region of water lying above the bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones of the sea bottom. Compare neritic, pelagic.
3. immensely large; vast:

   an oceanic expanse of stars.

4. (initial capital letter) of or relating to Oceania, its peoples, or their languages.

oceanic

¹

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ocean
2. living in the depths of the ocean beyond the continental shelf at a depth exceeding 200 metres

   oceanic fauna

3. huge or overwhelming
4. (of geological formations) of volcanic origin, arising from the ocean

   oceanic islands

Oceanic

²

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

noun

1. a branch, group, or subfamily of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages, comprising Polynesian and Melanesian

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to this group of languages
2. of or relating to Oceania

oceanic

/ ō′shē-ăn′ĭk /

1. Relating to the ocean.
2. Relating to the ocean waters that lie beyond the continental shelf and exceed 200 m (656 ft) in depth.
3. Compare neriticSee more at epipelagic zone

Other Words From

• preo·ce·anic adjective
• uno·ce·anic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oceanic¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Medieval Latin ōceanicus, equivalent to Latin ōcean(us) + -icus adjective suffix; ocean, -ic

Example Sentences

Over the past half-century, oceanic sharks and rays have diminished around the globe, an international team of scientists reported on January 27 in the journal Nature.

From Popular-Science

Meanwhile, below the oceans are thin but dense oceanic crusts.

From Singularity Hub 

As they left the Auckland Islands, two whales visited other oceanic islands—skirting around Macquarie Island and visiting Campbell Island.

From Popular-Science

It comes with this oceanic feeling that you’re in this giant ocean of existence, and that life is a celebration.

From Nautilus

Each of these extreme weather events was the result of a particular set of atmospheric — and in the case of Laura, oceanic — conditions.

From Science News

John Luther Adams lives up to the title of his composition, capturing an oceanic torrent of sound in an awe-inspiring performance.

From The Daily Beast

Rarely so personal, death was more often oceanic and everywhere.

From The Daily Beast

These, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are the worst storms ever to hit the U.S.

From The Daily Beast

He falls deep into oceanic silence, interrupted only by the sound of Adele (singing a mediocre Bond anthem), and you know what?

From The Daily Beast

Biologists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration doing field research on endangered species?

From The Daily Beast

The hundred-fathom line lies far beyond them; these waters, though thoroughly oceanic in character, are not oceanic in depth.

From Project Gutenberg

With the exception of the occupants of the Malayan Peninsula, all the Oceanic population occupy islands.

From Project Gutenberg

We continued to have the southern oceanic birds accompany us and a few whales.

From Project Gutenberg

My feet stand on the oceanic watershed, my eyes roam over this huge system, which I love as my own possession.

From Project Gutenberg

Lake Huron charms the eye, with the view of its freshness and oceanic expanse.

From Project Gutenberg