marine

[muh-reen]

adjective

1. of or relating to the sea; existing in or produced by the sea.

   marine vegetation.

2. pertaining to navigation or shipping; nautical; naval; maritime.

3. serving on shipboard, as soldiers.

4. of or belonging to the marines.

5. adapted for use at sea.

   a marine barometer.

noun

1. a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.

2. one of a class of naval troops serving both on shipboard and on land.

3. seagoing ships collectively, especially with reference to nationality or class; shipping in general.

4. a picture with a marine subject; seascape.

5. naval affairs, or the department of a government, as in France, having to do with such affairs.

marine

/ məˈriːn /

adjective

1. of, found in, or relating to the sea

2. of or relating to shipping, navigation, etc

3. of or relating to a body of seagoing troops

   marine corps

4. of or relating to a government department concerned with maritime affairs

5. used or adapted for use at sea

   a marine camera

noun

1. shipping and navigation in general

   the merchant marine

2. (capital when part of a name) a member of a marine corps or similar body

3. a picture of a ship, seascape, etc

4. informal,  an expression of disbelief

marine

1. Relating to the sea.

2. Relating to a system of open-ocean and unprotected coastal habitats, characterized by exposure to wave action, tidal fluctuation, and ocean currents and by the absence of trees, shrubs, or emergent vegetation. Water in the marine system is at or near the full salinity of seawater.

3. Compare lacustrine palustrine riverine

Other Word Forms

• intermarine adjective
• nonmarine adjective
• semimarine adjective
• supermarine adjective
• unmarine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marine¹

1325–75; Middle English maryne < Middle French marin (feminine marine ) < Latin marīnus of the sea, derivative of mare sea; -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of marine¹

C15: from Old French marin, from Latin marīnus, from mare sea

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. dead marine, an empty bottle of beer or spirits.

2. tell it / that to the marines! I don't believe your story; I refuse to be fooled.

Example Sentences

Boats need to withstand the unforgiving nature of the marine environment.

Read more on BBC

The researchers urge further investigation of this region, along with careful marine spatial planning and protective measures to safeguard the site.

Read more on Science Daily

The legislation, which made it illegal to hold certain marine mammals in captive, prevented the government from approving Marineland's China export plan.

Read more on Barron's

The initiative was focused on growing ocean literacy, improving the sustainable management of the local marine heritage and promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.

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"The strong interest reflects the sector's growing focus on lower-emission marine fuels," it said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• aquatic 
• coastal 
• deep-sea 
• maritime 
• naval 
• saltwater 
• seagoing