seaway

noun

sea·​way ˈsē-ˌwā How to pronounce seaway (audio)
1
: the sea as a route for travel
also : an ocean traffic lane
2
: a moderate or rough sea
3
: a deep inland waterway that admits ocean shipping

Examples of seaway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tiara clearly designed this boat for a seaway, a point made by the portside companion seating opposite the two-seater helm—which creates four forward-facing seats in the salon. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 When these creatures lived, the region that is now Kentucky was an ancient seaway connecting North America, Europe and Northern Africa. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 The seaway, which stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and east through what is now Hudson Bay, essentially divided North America into three parts. Kristina A. Curry Rogers, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2020 Instead the researchers argue that the genetic similarities between these two populations is a relic of a time when the West Antarctic Ice Sheet had completely melted, leaving shallow seaways connecting the Ross and Weddell Seas. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2023 The nonprofit company that operates the Canadian side of the seaway reached a wage deal Sunday with Unifor, the trade union representing 360 workers who operate lock systems, bridges and other infrastructure along the Canadian side of the seaway. Robb M. Stewart, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2023 Vessels were cleared from the seaway system during a 72-hour notice period before the strike began, but the employer has said more than 100 vessels outside the system are affected by the strike. Robb M. Stewart, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2023 Negotiations over a wage deal broke down over the weekend and about 360 workers who operate lock systems, bridges and other infrastructure along the Canadian side of the seaway walked off the job just after midnight Sunday. Robb M. Stewart, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2023 When butterflies first appeared in Central America and western North America, a vast seaway divided North America into two regions. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 May 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near seaway

Cite this Entry

“Seaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seaway. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seaway

noun
sea·​way -ˌwā How to pronounce seaway (audio)
1
a
: a route for travel on the sea
b
: an ocean traffic lane
2
: a rough sea
3
: a deep inland waterway that admits ocean shipping

More from Merriam-Webster on seaway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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