sea breeze

American  

noun

1. a thermally produced wind blowing from a cool ocean surface onto adjoining warm land.

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sea breeze British  

noun

1. a wind blowing from the sea to the land, esp during the day when the land surface is warmer

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sea breeze Cultural  

1. The breeze that blows from the sea toward the land during the day, as air rising over the warmer land is replaced by cooler air from above the sea. (Compare land breeze.)

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Etymology

Origin of sea breeze

First recorded in 1690–1700

Compare meaning

How does sea-breeze compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• land breeze vs. sea breeze

Example Sentences

To avoid yet another night sitting in the darkness, she marked her birthday by strolling to the Paseo del Prado, an iconic boulevard not far from the waterfront cooled by a light sea breeze.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

When the next streetcar rolls in, the upper deck fills with a gaggle of schoolgirls, squabbling over who gets the window seat closest to the sea breeze.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Thousands of colorful parasols fluttered in the sea breeze, and people dipped into the waves.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2024

Dry conditions for third practice with the northwesterly sea breeze decreasing as the sun goes down.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2024

He went on to the front hall and stepped over the sea breeze.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt