seaborne

American  

[see-bawrn, -bohrn] / ˈsiˌbɔrn, -ˌboʊrn /

adjective

1. transported by ship over the sea.

2. carried on or over the sea.

   a seaborne fog; seaborne cargoes.

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seaborne British  

/ ˈsiːˌbɔːn /

adjective

1. carried on or by the sea

2. transported by ship

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Etymology

Origin of seaborne

First recorded in 1815–25; sea + borne ¹

Example Sentences

Before the war, the strait transported about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

A ministry spokeswoman added that the refinery has another pipeline connection to the Baltic Sea port of Rostock, allowing potential seaborne deliveries of crude oil.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Likewise, the U.S. early in World War II stopped Japan from seaborne oil imports—targeting the very vulnerability Tokyo had sought to offset by trying to colonize its resource-rich Asian neighbors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Yet a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which saw the passage of about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil before the war, remains in question.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Then a seaborne death soft as this hand of mist will come upon you when you are wearied out with rich old age, your country folk in blessed peace around you.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer