oceanography

American  

[oh-shuh-nog-ruh-fee, oh-shee-uh-] / ˌoʊ ʃəˈnɒg rə fi, ˌoʊ ʃi ə- /

noun

1. the branch of physical geography dealing with the ocean.

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oceanography British  

/ ˌəʊʃənəˈɡræfɪk, ˌəʊʃɪə-, ˌəʊʃəˈnɒɡrəfɪ, ˌəʊʃɪə- /

noun

1. the branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, geological, and biological features of the oceans and ocean basins

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oceanography Scientific  

/ ō′shə-nŏg′rə-fē /

1. The scientific study of oceans, the life that inhabits them, and their physical characteristics, including the depth and extent of ocean waters, their movement and chemical makeup, and the topography and composition of the ocean floors. Oceanography also includes ocean exploration.

2. Also called oceanology

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• oceanographic
  adjective
• oceanographer
  noun
• oceanographically
  adverb
• oceanographical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of oceanography

First recorded in 1855–60; ocean + -o- + -graphy

Explanation

Oceanography is the scientific study of the ocean. If you're interested in biology, physics, and sea creatures, you might want to study oceanography. Another way to say oceanography is "marine science." Scientists who specialize in oceanography are called oceanographers, and they focus on specific aspects of the sea which might include the physics of waves and currents or the biology of marine animals and plants. The word oceanography was coined in the mid-1800s, modeled on geography, from ocean and -graphy, "the process of writing or recording."