South China Sea

American  

noun

1. a part of the western Pacific, bounded by southeastern China, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and the Philippines.

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South China Sea British  

noun

1. part of the Pacific surrounded by SE China, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and the Philippines

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Etymology

Origin of South China Sea

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

South China Sea

China has long dispatched coast guard and research ships around the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the hotly contested South China Sea, where Beijing and several littoral countries have competing claims.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

The carrier left San Diego in November for the South China Sea and was then sent to the Middle East ahead of the attacks on Iran in February.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The USS George Washington, based in Japan, has been operating in the South China Sea in recent weeks and recently made a port call in Vietnam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Both China and the Philippines said this week they were working towards completing a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by the end of the year.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

The AO lay along the South China Sea, where things had the feel of a resort, with white beaches and palm trees and friendly little villages.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien