pelagic

[ puh-laj-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the open seas or oceans.
2. living or growing at or near the surface of the ocean, far from land, as certain organisms.

pelagic

/ pɛˈlædʒɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the open sea

   pelagic whaling

2. (of marine life) living or occurring in the upper waters of open sea
3. (of geological formations) derived from material that has fallen to the bottom from the upper waters of the sea

pelagic

/ pə-lăj′ĭk /

1. Relating to or living in or on oceanic waters. The pelagic zone of the ocean begins at the low tide mark and includes the entire oceanic water column. The pelagic ecosystem is largely dependent on the phytoplankton inhabiting the upper, sunlit regions, where most ocean organisms live. Biodiversity decreases sharply in the unlit zones where water pressure is high, temperatures are cold, and food sources scarce. Pelagic waters are divided, in descending order, into the epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, and hadopelagic zones .

Other Words From

• nonpe·lagic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelagic¹

1650–60; < Latin pelagicus < Greek pelagikós, equivalent to pélag ( os ) the sea + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelagic¹

C17: from Latin pelagicus, from pelagus, from Greek pelagos sea

Example Sentences

As a matter of fact, specimens of pelagic sharks are displayed in museums that exceed 40 feet, but they are very rare.

From Project Gutenberg

Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the rocky islands.

From Project Gutenberg

The pelagic flora consists of Diatomace, Protococcace, Peridinie, and others.

From Project Gutenberg

Minyas is pelagic; it has a float at one end, and by means of its tentacles swims about freely.

From Project Gutenberg

Nine tenths of the species are marine; of these some are pelagic, and their transparent forms constitute a part of the plankton.

From Project Gutenberg