seashore

American  

[see-shawr, -shohr] / ˈsiˌʃɔr, -ˌʃoʊr /

noun

1. land along the sea or ocean.

2. Law. the ground between the ordinary high-water and low-water marks.

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seashore British  

/ ˈsiːˌʃɔː /

noun

1. land bordering on the sea

2. the land between the marks of high and low water

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Etymology

Origin of seashore

First recorded in 1520–30; sea + shore ¹

Explanation

The seashore is the land that borders an ocean or sea. She sells seashells on the seashore because that’s where the shells are, on the beach. Now say the whole thing three times fast. You can call the seashore the coast, the beach, or even just the shore. It's the area right next to the sea, and it can be rocky and dramatic or soft and sandy. Sometimes scientists use this word to mean the specific area that's covered with water at high tide but uncovered at low tide. This area is also known as the intertidal zone.

Example Sentences

"One of the boats with the military personnel reached the seashore and tied a long rope to a tree. That rope was then brought to the boats," Mr Noor said.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

The settlement, resolving a lawsuit filed in 2022, would pay most of the historic dairies and cattle ranches on the seashore to move out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

SNH has collected specimens of stranded whales in the seashore and river mouth in Hokkaido.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2024

On a sprawling Martha’s Vineyard estate not far from the seashore, Deici Cauro adjusted a baseball cap to keep the burning sun at bay.

From New York Times • Jun. 28, 2023

He spent his days on the seashore, searching the horizon for a sail that never came, sick with longing to see even the smoke curling up from his house.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton