oceanic

American  

[oh-shee-an-ik] / ˌoʊ ʃiˈæn ɪk /

adjective

1. of, living in, or produced by the ocean.

   oceanic currents.

2. Oceanography. of or relating to the region of water lying above the bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones of the sea bottom.

3. immensely large; vast.

   an oceanic expanse of stars.

4. (initial capital letter) of or relating to Oceania, its peoples, or their languages.

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oceanic ¹ British  

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ocean

2. living in the depths of the ocean beyond the continental shelf at a depth exceeding 200 metres

   oceanic fauna

3. huge or overwhelming

4. (of geological formations) of volcanic origin, arising from the ocean

   oceanic islands

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Oceanic ² British  

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

noun

1. a branch, group, or subfamily of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages, comprising Polynesian and Melanesian

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to this group of languages

2. of or relating to Oceania

oceanic Scientific  

/ ō′shē-ăn′ĭk /

1. Relating to the ocean.

2. Relating to the ocean waters that lie beyond the continental shelf and exceed 200 m (656 ft) in depth.

3. Compare neritic See more at epipelagic zone

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Other Word Forms

• preoceanic adjective
• unoceanic adjective

Etymology

Origin of oceanic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Medieval Latin ōceanicus, equivalent to Latin ōcean(us) + -icus adjective suffix; ocean, -ic

Example Sentences

This occurs as an oceanic tectonic plate sinks deeper into the Earth's interior.

From Science Daily

"Understanding the origin of rainfall and whether it comes from oceanic or land sources, gives policymakers and farmers a new tool to predict and mitigate drought stress before it happens."

From Science Daily

Russia describes Yantar, which is operated by the country's Ministry of Defence, as an oceanic research vessel.

From BBC

Instead, they thrived in coastal and oceanic settings.

From Science Daily

Friday's decisions move whale sharks, manta rays and devil rays onto Appendix I after countries on Thursday did the same for the critically endangered oceanic whitetip shark.

From Barron's