Barents Sea

American  

noun

1. a part of the Arctic Ocean between NE Europe and the islands of Spitzbergen, Franz Josef Land, and Novaya Zemlya.

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Barents Sea British  

/ ˈbærənts /

noun

1. a part of the Arctic Ocean, bounded by Norway, Russia, and the islands of Novaya Zemlya, Spitsbergen, and Franz Josef Land

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Etymology

Origin of Barents Sea

named after Willem Barents (1550–97) Dutch navigator and explorer

Example Sentences

Noting that its waters are ice-free thanks to the Gulf Stream, the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy has, for example, suggested excluding the Barents Sea from the EU's definition of the Arctic.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

A Norwegian Climate Foundation report, entitled "The Barents Sea at Stake", also highlighted security challenges.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

One Whale had called for him to be transferred to the Barents Sea in northern Norway - a more natural habitat for belugas - which would reduce the risk of ship collisions.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

Scientists measured microplastic concentrations in the highly productive Barents Sea and suggest that ocean circulation, ice melt, tourism, inadequate waste management, shipping and fishing are all likely contributors.

From Science Daily • Oct. 17, 2023

Twenty years before the crash of KAL 801, a Korean Air Boeing 707 wandered into Russian airspace and was shot down by a Soviet military jet over the Barents Sea.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell