sea level

noun

1. the horizontal plane or level corresponding to the surface of the sea at mean level between high and low tide.

sea level

noun

1. the level of the surface of the sea with respect to the land, taken to be the mean level between high and low tide, and used as a standard base for measuring heights and depths

sea level

1. The level of the ocean's surface. Sea level at a particular location changes regularly with the tides and irregularly due to conditions such as wind and currents. Other factors that contribute to such fluctuation include water temperature and salinity, air pressure, seasonal changes, the amount of stream runoff, and the amount of water that is stored as ice or snow.

2. ◆ The reference point used as a standard for determining terrestrial and atmospheric elevation or ocean depths is called the mean sea level and is calculated as the average of hourly tide levels measured by mechanical tide gauges over extended periods of time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea level¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

That extra water going into rivers and eventually the oceans means higher sea levels for coastal populations around the world.

From BBC

The presence of dust in the ice will help them understand how the ice sheets shrank and contributed to sea level rise - something that is a major concern this century.

From BBC

Above this temperature level, scientists anticipate significant impacts from global sea level rise, more extreme weather and impacts on agriculture.

From BBC

At sea level, a thunderstorm can be 12,000 feet above you, even if the clouds are directly overhead.

From Los Angeles Times

One and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, a landmark climate report has warned.

From BBC

Related Words

• water level