Southern Ocean

American  

[suhth-ern oh-shuhn] / ˈsʌð ərn ˈoʊ ʃən /

noun

1. the waters surrounding Antarctica, comprising the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, with its deepest section in the South Sandwich Trench. 8,478,800 square miles (21,960,000 square kilometers).

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Southern Ocean British  

noun

1. another name for the Antarctic Ocean

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Etymology

Origin of Southern Ocean

First recorded in 1660–70, referring to any southern sea; current sense dates from 1700–10

Example Sentences

The octopus appears to be the runt of the Megaleledonidae family, whose members are normally much larger and live in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Researchers said the work also leant further credence to a theory about humpback whale patterns known as the "Southern Ocean Exchange".

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The Southern Ocean is one of the planet's most important climate regulators.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Yet its long-term rainfall data suggests the Southern Ocean, a critical driver of global heat and carbon absorption, may be changing faster and more dramatically than scientists previously realized.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

The three boats of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition ran from the force of the Southern Ocean back into the pack.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong