Dead Sea

American  

noun

1. a salt lake between Israel and Jordan: the lowest lake in the world, more than 1,400 feet (430 meters) below sea level. Water from the lake, whose extreme salinity and high mineral content make it inhospitable to plant or animal life, has been used for health purposes since ancient times.

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Dead Sea British  

noun

1. a lake between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, now 420 m (1378 ft) below sea level; originally 390 m (1285 ft): the lowest lake in the world, with no outlet and very high salinity; outline, esp at the southern end, reduced considerably in recent years. Area: originally about 950 sq km (365 sq miles); by 2003 about 625 sq km (240 sq miles)

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Dead Sea Cultural  

1. Salt lake on the border between Israel and Jordan.

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Discover More

Its shore, at approximately thirteen hundred feet below sea level, is the lowest point of dry land on Earth.

Etymology

Origin of Dead Sea

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

“You swim through piles of dead sea urchins that until days ago were significant components of the reef.”

From Science Magazine • May 28, 2024

A Halloween toy was among hundreds of plastic items found in the guts of dead sea turtles in the Mediterranean, a new study reveals.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

In the wake of the spill, veterinary officials at the UC Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network reported 82 dead birds, three dead sea lions and a dead bottlenose dolphin, among other impacted animals.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2021

Harley said they’ve found more dead sea species in the weeks after the rare heat wave.

From Scientific American • Jul. 15, 2021

He reminded Tyrion of a dead sea cow that had once washed up in the caverns under easterly Rock.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin