high sea

American  

[hahy see] / ˈhaɪ ˈsi /

noun

1. the sea or ocean beyond the three-mile limit or territorial waters of a state or nation.

2. Usually high seas.

   1. the open, unenclosed waters of any sea or ocean; common waterway.

      The book was inspired by her own adventures on the high seas.

      Maritime pollution on the high seas is becoming a matter of grave consequence for coastal communities.

   2. Law.  the area within which transactions are subject to the jurisdiction of the admiralty court.

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Other Word Forms

• high-sea adjective

Etymology

Origin of high sea

First recorded before 1100

Example Sentences

Tropical storm Koto killed three people and left another missing as it approached Vietnam, authorities said Sunday, as strong winds and high seas buffeted vessels off the country's flood-hit central coast.

From Barron's

The U.S. says the passage is an international strait, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, because it connects two parts of the high seas.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Commercial vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas," it added.

From BBC

“Commercial vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas,” Centcom said.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Commercial vessels are entitled to largely unimpeded rights of navigation and commerce on the high seas," said the US 5th Fleet, which patrols the region.

From Barron's