Southern Ocean

American  

[suhth-ern oh-shuhn] / ˈsʌð ərn ˈoʊ ʃən /

noun

1. the waters surrounding Antarctica, comprising the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, with its deepest section in the South Sandwich Trench. 8,478,800 square miles (21,960,000 square kilometers).

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Southern Ocean British  

noun

1. another name for the Antarctic Ocean

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Etymology

Origin of Southern Ocean

First recorded in 1660–70, referring to any southern sea; current sense dates from 1700–10

Example Sentences

The octopus appears to be the runt of the Megaleledonidae family, whose members are normally much larger and live in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Researchers said the work also leant further credence to a theory about humpback whale patterns known as the "Southern Ocean Exchange".

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Researchers say the next step is determining how widespread these changes are across the Southern Ocean storm belt and understanding what they could mean for the global climate system in the future.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Scientists say the Southern Ocean storm track has gradually shifted closer to Antarctica over time, and this larger shift is now influencing the island's weather.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Before them was the Southern Ocean, and they were making for an island only twenty miles long and 100 miles away.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong