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

In the deep sea, this ability may give microbes an important edge.

Read more on Science Daily

Analyses of fossils and genomic data indicate that precursors of the enhanced hearing bones first appeared while these fish still lived in the sea.

Read more on Science Daily

Adaptation is a major focus of the summit, particularly a funding shortfall to assist vulnerable nations in protecting their people from climate impacts, such as building coastal defences against rising seas.

Read more on Barron's

Hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles Dodgers fans turned the city into a sea of blue of Monday as the California metropolis saluted the baseball giants' back-to-back World Series titles.

Read more on Barron's

The “We’re the Millers” star hinted at her relationship with Curtis in September, when she shared a handful of photos recapping her summer adventures — including one of Curtis watching the sunset by the sea.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expanse 
• lake 
• ocean 
• pond 
• surf