sea level

noun

1. the horizontal plane or level corresponding to the surface of the sea at mean level between high and low tide.

sea level

noun

1. the level of the surface of the sea with respect to the land, taken to be the mean level between high and low tide, and used as a standard base for measuring heights and depths

sea level

1. The level of the ocean's surface. Sea level at a particular location changes regularly with the tides and irregularly due to conditions such as wind and currents. Other factors that contribute to such fluctuation include water temperature and salinity, air pressure, seasonal changes, the amount of stream runoff, and the amount of water that is stored as ice or snow.
2. ◆ The reference point used as a standard for determining terrestrial and atmospheric elevation or ocean depths is called the mean sea level and is calculated as the average of hourly tide levels measured by mechanical tide gauges over extended periods of time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea level¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

The land bridge remained until about 8,000 years ago, after the end of the last ice age, when rising sea levels eventually cut Tasmania off from the Australian mainland.

From Science Daily

California expects an average statewide sea level increase of 0.8 feet in the next 30 years due to human-caused climate change.

From Los Angeles Times

“Climate change is threatening water resources, increasing challenges to food and fiber production, and compromising human health in the Southwest through drought, wildfire, intense precipitation, sea level rise, and marine heat waves,” Declet-Barreto said.

From Salon

Historical records allude to cities in the region, he said, but the team did not expect to find a 12-hectare medieval city some 2,200m above sea level.

From BBC

Climate change, a subject close to the King's heart, is expected to top the agenda at the meeting held in a part of the world very vulnerable to rising sea levels.

From BBC

Related Words

• water level