sea
see
Sea (noun) means the continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth's surface, or a named part of it. Example: “They spent the afternoon swimming in the sea.”
noun
1
The continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth's surface, or a named part of it.
"They spent the afternoon swimming in the sea."
"The Mediterranean Sea separates Europe from North Africa."
"The ferry struggled across the sea in rough weather."
2
A vast quantity or expanse of something, used figuratively.
"She looked out over a sea of faces in the crowded stadium."
"A sea of umbrellas filled the street when the rain began."
"After the party, there was a sea of paper cups across the lawn."
How to use sea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe salty ocean waters, or figuratively, a huge mass or spread of something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
out at sea
a sea of troubles
by the sea
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Word forms
- Plural
- seas
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Can you complete this real example?
They spent the afternoon swimming in the _____.
Etymology
From Old English sæ, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "body of water."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sea
See all rhymes for sea →Frequently asked questions
What does “sea” mean?
The word “sea” means the continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth's surface, or a named part of it. In plain terms, the salty ocean waters, or figuratively, a huge mass or spread of something.
How do you pronounce “sea”?
“Sea” is pronounced see (/siː/ in IPA).
How do you use “sea” in a sentence?
Here is “sea” used in a sentence: “They spent the afternoon swimming in the sea.”
What part of speech is “sea”?
“Sea” is a noun.
Where does the word “sea” come from?
The word “sea” comes from Old English. From Old English sæ, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "body of water.".
Is “sea” a common word?
“Sea” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sea” have?
“Sea” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth's surface, or a named part of it.
What is the difference between a sea and an ocean?
Oceans are the huge, deep bodies of salt water that divide the continents, like the Pacific or Atlantic. A sea is smaller and usually lies where land and ocean meet, often partly enclosed by land, such as the Mediterranean or North Sea. Seas are generally shallower, and most are actually parts of a larger ocean.
Why is the sea salty?
The sea is salty mainly because rain and rivers slowly wash minerals, including salt, from rocks and soil on land into it over millions of years. Underwater volcanic vents add more minerals. Water leaves the sea by evaporation but the salt stays behind, so it has gradually built up and become concentrated.
How many seas are there?
There is no single agreed number, because "sea" is defined loosely and boundaries overlap. Traditionally people spoke of the "seven seas," a poetic phrase for all the world's waters. Today geographers recognise dozens of named seas, such as the Caribbean, Red, and Baltic, most of them arms or divisions of the larger oceans.
What is the largest sea?
By most measures the largest sea is the Philippine Sea, a vast stretch of the western Pacific Ocean. The Coral Sea and Arabian Sea are also among the biggest. Rankings vary because experts disagree on exactly where some seas end, but the Philippine Sea is usually placed at the top.
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