Atlantic

American  

[at-lan-tik] / ætˈlæn tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Atlantic Ocean.

2. of, relating to, or situated on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

   the Atlantic states.

3. of or relating to the countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, especially those of North America and Europe.

4. of or relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or its members.

   the Atlantic Alliance.

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noun

1. the Atlantic, Atlantic Ocean.

2. Railroads. a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, four driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

Atlantic British  

/ ətˈlæntɪk /

noun

1. short for Atlantic Ocean

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adjective

1. of or relating to or bordering the Atlantic Ocean

2. of or relating to Atlas or the Atlas Mountains

Other Word Forms

• sub-Atlantic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Atlantic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin Atlanticum (mare), “the Atlantic (ocean),” neuter of Atlanticus, from Greek Atlantikós “of (Mount) Atlas,” equivalent to Atlant- (stem of Átlās ) + -ikos adjective suffix; Atlas ( def. 1 ), -ic

Example Sentences

There was a time when baseball shared the title of “national pastime” with cricket, an import from England that crossed the Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

On Tuesday, they became Atlantic Division champions for the first time since 2010.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

John Richardson had been instrumental in the RMS Carpathia rescuing survivors from the Titanic's lifeboats, just hours after it had gone down in the North Atlantic, killing 1,500 people.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

For expert Elisabeth Braw of the Atlantic Council, "it's a bit of a Hail Mary move" by Washington after it had "exhausted all options".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Few would risk crossing the Atlantic without a copy of Appleton’s Railroad and Steamboat Companion.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood