1
a
: a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth
broadly : the waters of the earth as distinguished from the land and air
b
: a body of salt water of second rank more or less landlocked
the Mediterranean sea
c
: ocean
d
: an inland body of water
used especially for names of such bodies
the Caspian Sea
2
a
: surface motion on a large body of water or its direction
also : a large swell or wave
often used in plural
heavy seas
b
: the disturbance of the ocean or other body of water due to the wind
3
: something likened to the sea especially in vastness
a sea of faces
4
: the seafaring life
5
sea adjective
Phrases
at sea
1
: on the sea
specifically : on a sea voyage
2
to sea
: to or on the open waters of the sea

Examples of sea in a Sentence

the seas of the Southern Hemisphere millions of plants and animals live in the sea
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For many, the holidays are about family, where young and old recall the magic of Christmas morning—when kids sneak wide-eyed downstairs and witness a twinkling tree surrounded by a sea of presents. Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Azarias’s arrival, and his conviction that there may well be a future outside — out at sea, perhaps — feels like an affront to what Tania and Vida have been building, to their very co-existence. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 Swept Away builds its story between Mignonette and the real-life story of the Mignonette ship, which wrecked while at sea in July 1884. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024 The water level there is so low that fish can't swim up from the sea into the flower to lay their eggs, and boats can't reach the sea. Photovogue, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sea 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English see, from Old English ; akin to Old High German sea, Goth saiws

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sea

Cite this Entry

“Sea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sea

noun
1
a
: a great body of salty water that covers much of the earth
also : the waters of the earth
b
: a body of salt water not as large as an ocean
the Mediterranean Sea
d
: an inland body of water either salt or fresh
the Sea of Galilee
2
: rough water
a high sea swept the deck
3
: something suggesting the sea (as in great size or depth)
a golden sea of wheat
4
: a life involving marine travel
hoped to make a career of the sea
5
sea adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sea

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