Salish Sea

American  

[sey-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

The team found that inner coast transients, estimated at roughly 350 individuals, typically stayed about six kilometers from shore in relatively shallow areas such as the Salish Sea.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

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

Since The Salish Sea is much deeper than a river, spill response here would cost more and would be extremely difficult.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2024