seafaring
Americanadjective
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traveling by sea.
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following the sea as a trade, business, or calling.
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of, relating to, or occurring during a voyage on the sea.
noun
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the business or calling of a sailor.
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traveling by sea.
adjective
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travelling by sea
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working as a sailor
noun
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the act of travelling by sea
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the career or work of a sailor
Etymology
Origin of seafaring
1150–1200; early Middle English safarinde (adj.); see sea, fare, -ing 2, -ing 1
Explanation
Seafaring is the activity of traveling or working on the ocean. You'll be much happier in the Navy if you enjoy seafaring. If you work on a ship or travel often by boat, you can also describe yourself as seafaring. Some seafaring jobs include piloting a yacht, working as a lobsterman, and doing stand-up comedy on a cruise ship. As an adjective, seafaring dates from around 1200, a combination of sea and faring, from the Old English fær, "journey or expedition."
Vocabulary lists containing seafaring
Western Europe - Introductory
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Western Europe - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most commercial seafaring vessels, even those carrying illicit products, are staffed by crews with little incentive to disobey the orders of the U.S. armed forces.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
"Haematite is widespread. Centuries ago, it was already used for compasses in seafaring," explains Bossini.
From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2025
It has caught the eye of National Geographic, which says it will bring "some 800 years of seafaring history to life".
From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025
Two more films followed, with 2019’s seafaring tale “The Lighthouse” and the epic 2022 Viking fable “The Northman” revealing new strengths in writing and directing that hadn’t been immediately visible in Eggers’ debut.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024
The crowd went flat on the ground—all those oar-pulling, seafaring Phaiakians—under the rushing noise.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
