Caribbean Sea

American  

noun

1. a part of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by Central America, the West Indies, and South America. About 750,000 square miles (1,943,000 square kilometers); greatest known depth 22,788 feet (6,946 meters).

---

Caribbean Sea British  

noun

1. an almost landlocked sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, bounded by the Caribbean islands, Central America, and the N coast of South America. Area: 2 718 200 sq km (1 049 500 sq miles)

---

Caribbean Sea Cultural  

1. Arm of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the West Indies to the north and east, South America to the south, and Central America to the west.

---

Discover More

Since announcing the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, the United States has considered the Caribbean within its “sphere of influence” — that is, a region where United States interests are directly affected. The policy has been to exclude foreign powers, though after 1959, Cuba came under strong influence of the Soviet Union.

Its clear blue waters make many of its islands popular vacation spots.

Etymology

Origin of Caribbean Sea

First recorded in 1760–65

Example Sentences

The couple were transported to the USS Iwo Jima, a US naval ship stationed in the Caribbean Sea for the operation.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

For decades, González and his wife, Mercedes Cruz, have run a popular weekly dance night in a historic social hall in one of Havana’s oldest neighborhoods, a few blocks from the Caribbean Sea.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

In December, he described the experience in detail in a private briefing for aides of Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who had sought information on civilian casualty protocols involving boat strikes in the Caribbean Sea.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

The US military since September has also conducted a series of air strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

The Cayman Islands, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, has the fewest drownings of all.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven