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.
The sea of ardent fans answered his call to repeat his tagline, too. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2025 This yacht condenses the yard’s signature design cues and philosophies into a perfectly manageable 62-foot footprint and features the brand’s pioneering V-Warp Technology to create a boat that’s fast and efficient—hitting top speeds of 30 knots during sea trials. Katia Damborsky, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The furniture collection was inspired by sea life, the mythical sea creatures of Ancient Greece and is composed of the Lorelei armchair and sofa, Ligea coffee tables, Neomeris carpet, Nereide sofa, Ploto low tables, Seidon sofa, Sibelia low tables and Teti pouf. Sofia Celeste, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025 Incidents of sea mammal cruelty are not rare in California, nor is the discovery of a headless sea mammal unique. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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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