seafaring

[ see-fair-ing ]

adjective

1. traveling by sea.
2. following the sea as a trade, business, or calling.
3. of, relating to, or occurring during a voyage on the sea.

noun

1. the business or calling of a sailor.
2. traveling by sea.

seafaring

/ ˈsiːˌfɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. travelling by sea
2. working as a sailor

noun

1. the act of travelling by sea
2. the career or work of a sailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of seafaring¹

1150–1200; early Middle English safarinde (adj.); sea, fare, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Southeast Greenland bears may be mostly isolated by Greenland’s ice sheet to the west and a rapid current to the east, which could sweep seafaring bears south and stifle northward movement, the researchers say.

From Science News

The legendary seafaring nation is now venturing further into cosmic exploration.

From Ozy

Ports in even the most avidly seafaring nations refused to allow mariners ashore.

From Washington Post

Tea describes this boundary as a “soft barrier,” with the spaces between islands occasionally allowing seafaring species to pass through to the neighboring ocean realm.

From Science News

Meanwhile, arrival of humans in Australia 65,000 years ago shows we’d mastered seafaring.

From Singularity Hub 

But it turns out we may be wrong about our seafaring friends.

From The Daily Beast

She delivered oracles in dreams to those who consulted her about fishery and seafaring.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have changed my opinion of a seafaring life," Ryan said, after a pause.

From Project Gutenberg

All the way along, shipmasters and seafaring folk nodded respectfully to Alpheus Briggs, or touched their hats to him.

From Project Gutenberg

A pleasant place it was, indeed, and trimly eloquent of the hand of an old seafaring man.

From Project Gutenberg

He paused and scanned the seaward horizon with that intent abstracted gaze which is peculiar to seafaring men.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• maritime
• nautical
• seagoing