high seas

British  

plural noun

1. (sometimes singular) the open seas of the world, outside the jurisdiction of any one nation

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high seas Idioms  

1. Open waters of an ocean or sea, beyond the territorial jurisdiction of a country. For example, Commercial fishermen are being forced to go out on the high seas in order to make a living. [c. 1100]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

high seas

Del Castillo blamed the Mexican government for being largely “negligent” when it comes to policing coastal areas and the high seas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

But life goes on on the high seas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

But, they’re committed on the high seas, so to the extent there’s jurisdiction at all, this falls under the authority of federal district court or federal military tribunals.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026

All this comes at a time when more people are sailing the high seas than ever before, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry trade group.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 1, 2026

Clara ran her eyes over everything and found it all quite lovely, just as she had politely approved of a sunset on the high seas, the Piazza San Marco, and her diamond jewelry.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende