sea oat

noun

1
: a tall grass (Uniola paniculata) that has panicles resembling those of the oat, grows on the coast of the southern U.S., and is useful as a sand binder
usually used in plural
2
sea oats plural : a cluster of yellowish vase-shaped egg cases of a whelk of the genus Thais : sea corn

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea oat was in 1879

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near sea oat

Cite this Entry

“Sea oat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20oat. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!