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sea Definition

sea (sē)

noun

  1. the continuous body of salt water covering the greater part of the earth's surface; ocean
  2. a large body of salt water wholly or partly enclosed by land the Red Sea, Irish Sea
  3. a large body of fresh water the Sea of Galilee
  4. the state of the surface of the ocean with regard to waves or swells a calm sea
  5. a heavy swell or wave
  6. something like or suggesting the sea in extent or vastness; very great amount or number lost in a sea of debt
  7. Astron. mare (sense )

Etymology: ME see < OE sæ, akin to Du zee, Ger see

adjective

of, connected with, or for use at sea

sea Idioms

at sea

  1. on the open sea
  2. uncertain; bewildered

follow the sea

to make one's living by serving on oceangoing ships

go to sea

  1. to become a sailor
  2. to embark on a voyage

put (out) to sea

to sail away from land

sea Synonyms

sea

n.

Major seas of the world include: Bering, Caribbean, Baltic, North, Irish, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Norwegian, Tyrrhenian, Black, Caspian, Azov, Red, Dead, White, Barents, Tasman, Okhotsk, Japan, Yellow, Philippine, South China, Arabian, East China, Java, Timor, Sulu, Celebes, Coral;

at sea*

confused, puzzled, upset; see bewildered, uncertain 2.

put (out) to sea

embark, go, start out; see leave 1, sail 1.

sea Usage Examples

Converse of subject

surround: There is a ruminating figure in the foreground surrounded by a sea of faces.

Converse of object

  • overlook: Stunning ocean views from the balcony overlooking the sea.
  • sail: Sinbad ( voiced by Brad Pitt ) is the most daring and notorious rogue ever to sail the seven seas.
  • cross: Thor Heyerdahl Bold explorer who risked his life in reed boats to prove idiosyncratic theories of how early man crossed the seas.
  • reach: Those who survived fled east, retreating until they reached the sea.
  • surround: By comparison with many other countries of Europe our winters are mild because of the buffering effect of the Gulf Stream and surrounding seas.

Adjective modifier

  • rough: Climate and meteorology The SEA 6 area has a mild maritime climate, but with periods of strong winds and rough seas.
  • shallow: The sediments mainly comprise richly fossiliferous sands deposited in shallow sub-tropical coastal seas about 45 million years ago.
  • calm: The Drake Passage was very kind to us and we enjoyed calm seas and made excellent progress.
  • choppy: Once he rescued three boys from drowning in a choppy sea.
  • sparkling: Close to both the bustling town center and the sparkling blue sea with fine sandy beaches.
  • blue: View from the North entrance road, blue sea on the horizon, on another very warm sunny September day at Eden.

Modifies a noun

  • trout: Any sea trout or salmon caught therefore should be returned to the water.
  • lion: A small colony of sea lions are also found here.
  • breeze: The absence of wind meant a leisurely lunch till the sea breeze finally made its way to Bewl Reservoir.
  • ice: Photo: Polar bear © Heather Crawford As Arctic sea ice melts, polar bears and seals are finding that their habitats are disappearing.
  • turtle: Photo: Baby seal © Kevin Miller For sea turtles, this means that some of their precious beach nesting sites will disappear.
  • salt: Handmade bath salts begin with sun evaporated Hawaiian sea salt from the island's west side.

Noun used with modifier

  • turquoise: In summer the cliffs along here are a sight to behold, with the blue and turquoise sea as a backdrop.
  • salt: Its calm depths are stirred, and foaming breakers beat its shore; but it is still the salt, salt sea.