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).

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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)

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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.

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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

Beijing's comments came after the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and its escort warships entered the Caribbean Sea, the military's Southern Command said on Wednesday.

From Barron's • May 21, 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 lawsuit is thought to be the first wrongful death case arising from the three dozen strikes that the administration has launched since September on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

So far, it has confirmed five locations including Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, an airfield known as La Carlota and Port La Guaira, Caracas' main conduit to the Caribbean Sea.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

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

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven