DictionaryAI

sea

noun
SEE/siː/

Pluralseas (some meanings)

9 meanings of sea

Practice

  1. 1
    the oceannoununcountable
    The huge body of salt water that covers most of the Earth.

    Like one giant pool of salty water wrapping around the whole world.

    Sailors spent months at sea before reaching dry land.

    The sea covers far more of the planet than the land does.

    UsageSay the sea, but travel by sea and be at sea.

    Similarocean

    Oppositeland

    Note
  2. 2
    part of oceannouncountable
    A large area of salt water, smaller than an ocean, such as the Red Sea.

    Like a smaller pool of salt water joined to the big ocean.

    A shallow sea lies between the mainland and the island chain.

    Many small seas connect to the larger ocean.

    UsageNames use a capital letter: the Black Sea.

    Note
  3. 3
    marinenounbefore a nounin compounds
    Used before another word for things that live in the sea, are used on it, or are found near it.

    Sea turtles crawled up the quiet beach to lay their eggs.

    The fresh sea air filled the little cabin.

    UsageWrite seaside as one word but sea level as two.

    Similarocean

    Oppositeland

  4. 4
    huge amountnounfigurativelycountable
    A very large amount of something spread out like the ocean.

    A sea of people filled the square for the parade.

    She looked out over a sea of waving flags.

    UsageSay a sea of faces, meaning very many faces.

    Similarmass, flood, ocean, mountain, forest

    Note
  5. 5
    rough waternouncountable
    The waves on the sea, especially big rough ones, or one very large wave.

    Like water sloshing up and down in a bathtub, but huge.

    The little boat rocked hard in the rough sea.

    The sailors struggled against a heavy sea all night.

    UsageSay heavy seas or rough seas for big waves.

    Similarswell, wave, surge

    Note

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Old English "sǣ," going back to old Germanic words for a body of water. Its deeper origin is uncertain.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts