Salish Sea

American  

[say-lish see] / ˈseɪ lɪʃ ˈsi /

noun

1. a marginal sea of the Pacific waters of Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, comprising Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia. 6,900 sq. mi. (18,000 sq. km).

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Etymology

Origin of Salish Sea

First recorded in 1985–90; named after the Coast Salish ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Salish Sea

If you happen to be swimming in the Salish Sea at night and imagine tiny hairy legs creeping up your body, there is now at least one unsettling reason that image feels plausible.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2026

And they use tools -- research last year showed a critically endangered population of orcas in the Salish Sea breaking off pieces of seaweed to rub and groom each other.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Spaal’ the Raven and Smuy the little deer are neighbors who live next to the Salish Sea.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2024

Ben Goldfarb, a nature journalist who is currently writing a book about fish, noted that dams still affect the orcas that inhabit the Salish Sea off Washington state and British Columbia.

From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2024

The state Ecology Department manages spill prevention and response on the Washington side of the Salish Sea.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2024