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ocean definition

ocean (ō′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the great body of salt water that covers approximately 71% of the surface of the earth
  2. any of its four principal geographical divisions: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or Arctic Ocean
  3. any great expanse or quantity

Etymology: ME occean < OFr < L Oceanus < Gr Ōkeanos, the outer sea (in contrast to the Mediterranean), orig. thought of as a great river flowing around the earth

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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