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

Add to that a fleet of destroyers and other boats, and total seaborne tonnage is still almost double China’s, the world’s second most powerful Navy.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Also, rail isn’t as cost effective as seaborne tankers—especially for the so-called teapot refineries in northeastern China, the main buyers of Iranian crude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

First, disruptions to Middle East crude production and flow through one of the world’s most crucial chokepoints for seaborne oil due to the Iran war that began on Feb. 28 will need to resolved.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

The strait is the primary export route for a nearly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and one-fifth of the world’s seaborne natural gas, according to Capital Economics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“Although . . . I suppose, knowing your love of seaborne adventure, I ought not expect you to stay on dry land for long.”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood