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
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
After the Biden administration's latest measures were announced on January 10, at least 65 oil tankers are now stationary at sea across the world, according to Reuters.
—
John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Suddenly the sea rises and starts to flood the plain.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
The coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin have always been prone to extreme precipitation, especially in places where there are mountains near the sea.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
It was engineered to thrive at sea with special corrosion resistance, thermal management, and structural and electrical durability.
—Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sea 
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John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Suddenly the sea rises and starts to flood the plain.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
The coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin have always been prone to extreme precipitation, especially in places where there are mountains near the sea.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
It was engineered to thrive at sea with special corrosion resistance, thermal management, and structural and electrical durability.
—Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sea
Articles Related to sea
Dictionary Entries Near sea
Cite this Entry
“Sea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sea
noun1
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
c
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
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