sea level

noun

1. the horizontal plane or level corresponding to the surface of the sea at mean level between high and low tide.

sea level

noun

1. the level of the surface of the sea with respect to the land, taken to be the mean level between high and low tide, and used as a standard base for measuring heights and depths

sea level

1. The level of the ocean's surface. Sea level at a particular location changes regularly with the tides and irregularly due to conditions such as wind and currents. Other factors that contribute to such fluctuation include water temperature and salinity, air pressure, seasonal changes, the amount of stream runoff, and the amount of water that is stored as ice or snow.

2. ◆ The reference point used as a standard for determining terrestrial and atmospheric elevation or ocean depths is called the mean sea level and is calculated as the average of hourly tide levels measured by mechanical tide gauges over extended periods of time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea level¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

During the Ice Age, sea levels dropped more than 100 meters, revealing vast coastal plains that are now underwater.

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He is partnering with the Korean Polar Research Institute to maintain analysis of the crucial Thwaites Glacier and how melt from it is contributing to global sea level rise.

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The archipelago is vulnerable to climate change and is facing rising sea levels, the deterioration of the marine ecosystem -- particularly its coral reefs -- as well as landslides, flooding and drought.

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That extra water going into rivers and eventually the oceans means higher sea levels for coastal populations around the world.

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The presence of dust in the ice will help them understand how the ice sheets shrank and contributed to sea level rise - something that is a major concern this century.

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Related Words

• water level