1
a
: a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth
broadly : the waters of the earth as distinguished from the land and air
b
: a body of salt water of second rank more or less landlocked
the Mediterranean sea
c
: ocean
d
: an inland body of water
used especially for names of such bodies
the Caspian Sea
2
a
: surface motion on a large body of water or its direction
also : a large swell or wave
often used in plural
heavy seas
b
: the disturbance of the ocean or other body of water due to the wind
3
: something likened to the sea especially in vastness
a sea of faces
4
: the seafaring life
5
sea adjective
Phrases
at sea
1
: on the sea
specifically : on a sea voyage
2
to sea
: to or on the open waters of the sea

Examples of sea in a Sentence

the seas of the Southern Hemisphere millions of plants and animals live in the sea
Recent Examples on the Web Roth, who spoke by phone from Cyprus, said that after the Israeli navy inspects the boat at sea, the organization understood that naval forces would then be surveilling — probably by drone — the boat’s journey to shore. Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 That makes Shirley stand out in the sea of white male faces on the U.S. Capitol steps in the freshman class photo of the 91st Congress the following year. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Alchemist, in fact, has a large planetarium dome that lets its guests dine surrounded by projections of underwater sea life, inside a human body or, appropriately, looking down on the curvature of the earth. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 Sightings could happen more frequently as sea ice melts and the Northwest Passage becomes increasingly navigable, allowing the whales to wander from their natural habitat. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Seafood is plucked from the sea and served up fresh and all-you-can-pick blueberry farms dot the landscape. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 The artificial environments felt a bit like Disney World at sea. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Nearer and nearer draws the time, The time that will surely be: When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 The group chatted, catching up on gossip, as the kids raced between the river and the sea. Mya Guarnieri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English see, from Old English ; akin to Old High German sea, Goth saiws

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sea

Cite this Entry

“Sea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sea

noun
1
a
: a great body of salty water that covers much of the earth
also : the waters of the earth
b
: a body of salt water not as large as an ocean
the Mediterranean Sea
d
: an inland body of water either salt or fresh
the Sea of Galilee
2
: rough water
a high sea swept the deck
3
: something suggesting the sea (as in great size or depth)
a golden sea of wheat
4
: a life involving marine travel
hoped to make a career of the sea
5
sea adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sea

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