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

“Chinese activities in the high seas are fully consistent with international law and international practice,” Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

On the upside, Starlink can be accessed while you’re on a plane or on a boat on the high seas.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 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

How could I stay put in China when my steamer rug was ready for the high seas?

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz