Red Sea

noun

1. an arm of the Indian Ocean, extending northwest between Africa and Arabia: connected to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal. 1,450 miles (2,335 kilometers) long; 170,000 square miles (440,300 square kilometers); greatest depth, 7,254 feet (2,211 meters).

Red Sea

noun

1. a long narrow sea between Arabia and NE Africa, linked with the Mediterranean in the north by the Suez Canal and with the Indian Ocean in the south: occasionally reddish in appearance through algae. Area: 438 000 sq km (169 000 sq miles)

Red Sea

1. Narrow sea between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Notes

According to the Bible (see also Bible ), the Red Sea's waters parted to allow the Israelites , led by Moses , to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. The “Red Sea” of the biblical account, however, seems more likely to have been the marshy Sea of Reeds than the present-day Red Sea.

Probably named for the red algae that are sometimes present in its waters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Red Sea¹

Translation of Latin Mare Rubrum, from Greek Erythrà Thálassa “Red Sea,” a translation of Hebrew Yam Sūph “Sea of Reeds.” The reason for Erythrà (Thálassa) is unknown; perhaps Erythrà refers to seasonal blooms of red algae on the on the surface of the water, or to ancient associations of “red” with “south,” (as “black” with “north,” as in “Black Sea”)

Example Sentences

The Houthis in Yemen blocked and destroyed shipping in the Red Sea.

From BBC

The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have forced major shipping companies to avoid the waterway, impacting international trade.

From BBC

Over the last year the Houthis have been attacking global shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Relations were further aggravated by Abiy’s pronouncement last year that his country wanted to secure access to a port on the Red Sea.

From BBC

Since November, the Houthis have launched attacks on around 100 ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels.

From BBC