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 ³.

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 marinemaritimethalassic
   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. at sea
   1. on the ocean
   2. in a state of confusion
8. go to sea
   to become a sailor
9. put to sea or put out to sea
   to embark on a sea voyage

sea

/ sē /

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. follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career:

   Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.

3. go to sea,
   1. to set out on a voyage.
   2. to embark on a nautical career.
4. half seas over, Slang. partly or completely drunk: Also

   They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.

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

   The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.

More idioms and phrases containing sea

In addition to the idiom beginning with sea , also see 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

Her resulting pumpkin blondies — flecked with dark chocolate chips and sea salt — are the perfect solution for holiday bakers who are low on time, but excited to capture seasonal flavors.

From Salon

By contrast, “Gangplank Galleon,” which accompanies the game’s climactic pirate ship boss fight, begins in the frisky style of an accordion-led sea shanty.

From New York Times

Meteorologists say the storms have been fuelled by high sea surface temperatures.

From BBC

Sewage spills into England's lakes, rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled in 2023.

From BBC

For islanders, whose lives are so interwoven with the sea, the ships of Britain's biggest ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne are more than just large lumps of steel and aluminium.

From BBC

Related Words

• expanse
• lake
• ocean
• pond
• surf