sea

[ see ]

noun

1. the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface.
2. a division of these waters, of considerable extent, more or less definitely marked off by land boundaries:

   the North Sea.

3. one of the seven seas; ocean.
4. a large lake or landlocked body of water.
5. the degree or amount of turbulence of the ocean or other body of water, as caused by the wind.
6. the waves.
7. a large wave:

   The heavy seas almost drowned us.

8. a widely extended, copious, or overwhelming quantity:

   a sea of faces; a sea of troubles.

   Synonyms: mass, abundance, host, multitude

9. the work, travel, and shipboard life of a sailor:

   The sea is a hard life but a rewarding one.

10. Astronomy. mare ³.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or adapted for use at sea.

sea

/ siː /

noun

1. 1. the sea the mass of salt water on the earth's surface as differentiated from the land marinemaritimethalassic
   2. ( as modifier )

      sea air

2. capital when part of place name
   1. one of the smaller areas of ocean

      the Irish Sea

   2. a large inland area of water

      the Caspian Sea

3. turbulence or swell, esp of considerable size

   heavy seas

4. See mare
   capital when part of a name astronomy any of many huge dry plains on the surface of the moon See also mare 2
5. anything resembling the sea in size or apparent limitlessness
6. the life or career of a sailor (esp in the phrase follow the sea )
7. at sea
   at sea
   1. on the ocean
   2. in a state of confusion
8. go to sea
   go to sea to become a sailor
9. put to sea
   put to seaput out to sea to embark on a sea voyage

sea

/ sē /

1. The continuous body of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface.
2. A region of water within an ocean and partly enclosed by land, such as the North Sea.
3. See Note at ocean
4. A large body of either fresh or salt water that is completely enclosed by land, such as the Caspian Sea.
5. Astronomy.
   A mare.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English see, Old English sǣ; cognate with Dutch zee, German See, Old Norse sær “sea,” Gothic saiws “marsh”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

Old English sǣ; related to Old Norse sǣr, Old Frisian sē, Gothic saiws, Old High German sēo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at sea, Also
   1. on the ocean.
   2. perplexed; uncertain:

      completely at sea as to how to answer the question.

2. follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career:

   Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.

3. go to sea,
   1. to set out on a voyage.
   2. to embark on a nautical career.
4. half seas over, Slang. partly or completely drunk: Also

   They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.

5. put to sea, to embark on a sea voyage: Also put out to sea.

   The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.

More idioms and phrases containing sea

In addition to the idiom beginning with sea , also see at sea ; between a rock and a hard place (devil and the deep blue sea) ; high seas ; not the only fish in the sea ; put out (to sea) .

Example Sentences

My dad was a sailor, and all through my childhood he was away half of the time at sea, and to an extent I have a similar job.

From The Daily Beast

It is the only tourist center Ukraine has left on the Black Sea, since Russia annexed Crimea last spring.

From The Daily Beast

The wreckage lies no more than around 100 feet down in the Java Sea.

From The Daily Beast

And for those on the Palestinian right who still dream of driving the Jews into the sea, they too can forget it.

From The Daily Beast

Search teams find dozens of people and jet debris floating in the Java Sea, as the airline confirms the wreckage is from QZ8501.

From The Daily Beast

Edna did not reveal so much as all this to Madame Ratignolle that summer day when they sat with faces turned to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Edna Pontellier, casting her eyes about, had finally kept them at rest upon the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

The countries about the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and its adjoining waters.

From Project Gutenberg

All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Worst danger zone, the open sea, now traversed, but on land not yet out of the wood.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• expanse
• lake
• ocean
• pond
• surf