Indian Ocean

[ in-dee-uhn oh-shuhn ]

noun

1. an ocean south of Asia, east of Africa, and west of Australia, with its deepest section in the Java Trench. 27,243,268 square miles (70,560,000 square kilometers).

Indian Ocean

noun

1. an ocean bordered by Africa in the west, Asia in the north, and Australia in the east and merging with the Antarctic Ocean in the south. Average depth: 3900 m (13 000 ft). Greatest depth (off the Sunda Islands): 7450 m (24 442 ft). In December 2004 a major undersea earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami which affected large areas of the ocean as far away as east Africa, and killed an estimated 226 435 people. Area: about 73 556 000 sq km (28 400 000 sq miles)

Indian Ocean

1. Third-largest ocean (after the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean ), extending from southern Asia to Antarctica and from eastern Africa to southeastern Australia .

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian Ocean¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

The uncrewed spacecraft was sent on its way to a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, while the booster returned to earth less than seven minutes later.

From Los Angeles Times

But the strategic importance of the archipelago, known officially as the British Indian Ocean Territory, has prompted criticism that the agreement will deliver a security boost to China.

From BBC

Reports of collusion between Yemen’s Houthis and al-Shabab, heightening risks of attacks in East Africa or on shipping in the Indian Ocean, may rekindle US interest in military operations.

From BBC

Agalega - two small islands covering 25 sq km, in the south-west Indian Ocean – would be an ideal location for India to monitor marine traffic.

From BBC

When the spacecraft ceased working a few years later, gravity might have been expected to pull it even further to the east, out over the Indian Ocean.

From BBC