oceanography

[ oh-shuh-nog-ruh-fee, oh-shee-uh- ]

noun

1. the branch of physical geography dealing with the ocean.

oceanography

/ ˌəʊʃənəˈɡræfɪk; ˌəʊʃɪə-; ˌəʊʃəˈnɒɡrəfɪ; ˌəʊʃɪə- /

noun

1. the branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, geological, and biological features of the oceans and ocean basins

oceanography

/ ō′shə-nŏg′rə-fē /

1. The scientific study of oceans, the life that inhabits them, and their physical characteristics, including the depth and extent of ocean waters, their movement and chemical makeup, and the topography and composition of the ocean floors. Oceanography also includes ocean exploration.
2. Also called oceanology

Derived Forms

• oceanographic, adjective
• ˌoceanˈographer, noun
• ˌoceanoˈgraphically, adverb

Other Words From

• ocea·nogra·pher noun
• o·cea·no·graph·ic [oh-sh, uh, -n, uh, -, graf, -ik], ocea·no·graphi·cal adjective
• ocea·no·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of oceanography¹

First recorded in 1855–60; ocean + -o- + -graphy

Example Sentences

“If you look at the volume of the International Space Station, it’s nothing compared to an ocean tanker,” says Cameron Ainsworth, an associate professor of physical oceanography at University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.

From Popular-Science

An introduction to oceanography course left her wondering about all the parts of the world she never knew existed.

From Time

If the last century of exploring the solar system was about coming to grips with alien geology, Hansen says, this coming century is going to be about oceanography — getting a grip on the strange seas in our own solar system.

From Science News

Going it alone would “be equivalent to a microbiologist studying microbes in the ocean and not knowing anything about oceanography,” he says.

From Science News

Then as now, the magazine’s readers feasted on a smorgasbord of delicious tidbits from a menu encompassing all flavors of science — from the atom to outer space, from agriculture to oceanography, from transportation to, of course, food and nutrition.

From Science News

They followed the asphalt avenue, between two narrow dense gardens, leading to the Museum of Oceanography.

From Project Gutenberg

The Museum of Oceanography could wait; it would not move away during his absence from the point on the rock of Monaco.

From Project Gutenberg

The Casino spread its influence in every direction, reaching even the Museum of Oceanography.

From Project Gutenberg

At present he was standing on an asphalt square, opposite the steps of the Museum of Oceanography.

From Project Gutenberg

Thalassog′raphy, the science of the ocean, oceanography; Thalassom′eter, a tide-gauge.

From Project Gutenberg