sea

[see]

noun

1. the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface.

2. a division of these waters, of considerable extent, more or less definitely marked off by land boundaries.

   the North Sea.

3. one of the seven seas; ocean.

4. a large lake or landlocked body of water.

5. the degree or amount of turbulence of the ocean or other body of water, as caused by the wind.

6. the waves.

7. a large wave.

   The heavy seas almost drowned us.

8. a widely extended, copious, or overwhelming quantity.

   a sea of faces; a sea of troubles.

   Synonyms: mass, abundance, host, multitude

9. the work, travel, and shipboard life of a sailor.

   The sea is a hard life but a rewarding one.

10. Astronomy.,  mare.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or adapted for use at sea.

sea

/ siː /

noun

1. 1. the mass of salt water on the earth's surface as differentiated from the land

   2. ( as modifier )

      sea air

2. (capital when part of place name)

   1. one of the smaller areas of ocean

      the Irish Sea

   2. a large inland area of water

      the Caspian Sea

3. turbulence or swell, esp of considerable size

   heavy seas

4. (capital when part of a name) astronomy any of many huge dry plains on the surface of the moon See also mare 2

5. anything resembling the sea in size or apparent limitlessness

6. the life or career of a sailor (esp in the phrase follow the sea )

7. 1. on the ocean

   2. in a state of confusion

8. to become a sailor

9. to embark on a sea voyage

sea

1. The continuous body of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface.

2. A region of water within an ocean and partly enclosed by land, such as the North Sea.

3. See Note at ocean

4. A large body of either fresh or salt water that is completely enclosed by land, such as the Caspian Sea.

5. Astronomy,  A mare.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English see, Old English sǣ; cognate with Dutch zee, German See, Old Norse sær “sea,” Gothic saiws “marsh”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

Old English sǣ; related to Old Norse sǣr, Old Frisian sē, Gothic saiws, Old High German sēo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at sea, Also

   1. on the ocean.

   2. perplexed; uncertain.

      completely at sea as to how to answer the question.

2. go to sea,

   1. to set out on a voyage.

   2. to embark on a nautical career.

3. half seas over, partly or completely drunk: Also

   They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.

4. put to sea, to embark on a sea voyage: Also put out to sea.

   The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.

5. follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career.

   Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.

More idioms and phrases containing sea

• at sea
• between a rock and a hard place (devil and the deep blue sea)
• high seas
• not the only fish in the sea
• put out (to sea)

Example Sentences

It’s then finished off with sliced persimmon, thyme leaves, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

From Salon

The main course, a whole fried sea bream, served with a ginger fish sauce caramel, peanuts, herbs, lemon, and wild pepper leaves to delicately wrap each fried morsel, truly blew me away.

From Salon

Farms and cities are pulling up so much water using high-capacity pumps that much of the water evaporates and eventually ends up as rain falling over the ocean, measurably increasing sea level rise.

From Los Angeles Times

There are limited exceptions to this which allow a state to seize a ship, such as a "hot pursuit" where a vessel is chased from a country's waters into the high seas.

From BBC

The movement, he said, has accelerated over the last decade, with some sections of the road now moving several feet a year toward the sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expanse 
• lake 
• ocean 
• pond 
• surf