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

The study also offers another probable mechanism that may have facilitated this recent expansion of Atlantic cownose rays to Bermuda -- oceanography.

From Science Daily

Only recently, an AWI oceanography team published a modelling study on this subject.

From Science Daily

"We urge the creation of more expansive coral reef microbial datasets on a global scale and recommend undertaking interdisciplinary research encompassing ecology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography and microbiomics."

From Science Daily

Carlos Moffat, who researches glacier-ocean interactions and polar oceanography at the University of Delaware, said equipment stationed in fjords is commonly crushed by all the movement.

From Science Daily

Cornell University astrobiologists have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures of distant worlds based on the thickness of their ice shells, effectively conducting oceanography from space.

From Science Daily