freedom of the seas

American  

noun

International Law.

1. the doctrine that ships of neutral countries may sail anywhere on the high seas without interference by warring powers.

---

freedom of the seas British  

noun

1. the right of ships of all nations to sail the high seas in peacetime

2. (in wartime) the immunity accorded to neutral ships from attack

3. the exclusive jurisdiction possessed by a state over its own ships sailing the high seas in peacetime

---

Etymology

Origin of freedom of the seas

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

freedom of the seas

American efforts to secure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz also continue a long-established support for freedom of the seas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

Ultimately he thinks that a "some kind of deal" is the only way to restore the freedom of the seas that the health of the global economy relies on.

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026

However, his commitment to the freedom of the seas and the rights of neutral nations in times of war soon put him on a collision course with Germany.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

It said Biden looked forwarded to deepening cooperation on issues including upholding freedom of the seas, supply chain resiliency, the crisis in Myanmar, and fighting climate change.

From Reuters ● Mar. 25, 2022

The first is the freedom of the seas; the second is a joint imperialism; the third is the promotion of an economic internationalism.

From American World Policies by Weyl, Walter E.