sea
Pronounced:
/ˈsi:/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural seasMeaning:
1 a : the salt water that covers much of the Earth's surface [noncount] ▪ We traveled by sea. [=on a ship] —often used with the ▪ The ship sank to the bottom of the sea. [=the ocean] ▪ creatures of the sea ▪ He was sailing the open sea. [=sailing far away from land] —often used before another noun ▪ a sea voyage ▪ a sea animal/creature ▪ the sea floor [plural] (literary) ▪ the uncharted seas —see also high seas b or Sea [count] : a large body of water that is part of the sea or that has land around part or all of it ▪ the Mediterranean Sea ▪ the seas of the Southern Hemisphere —see color picture; see also seven seas
2 [count] : an area of the sea —used to describe the movement of the water in the sea ▪ a calm/rough sea —often plural ▪ We sailed in heavy seas. [=in very large waves]
3 [count] : a large amount or number of people or things spread over a large area —usually singular ▪ a sea of screaming fans ▪ a golden sea of wheat —sometimes used figuratively ▪ a sea of sadness
4 or Sea [count] technical : one of the large, flat areas on the moon or on Mars ▪ lunar seas ▪ the Sea of Tranquility
2 [count] : an area of the sea —used to describe the movement of the water in the sea ▪ a calm/rough sea —often plural ▪ We sailed in heavy seas. [=in very large waves]
3 [count] : a large amount or number of people or things spread over a large area —usually singular ▪ a sea of screaming fans ▪ a golden sea of wheat —sometimes used figuratively ▪ a sea of sadness
4 or Sea [count] technical : one of the large, flat areas on the moon or on Mars ▪ lunar seas ▪ the Sea of Tranquility
at sea
1 : sailing or traveling on the sea ▪ The navy spent as much time in port as they did at sea. ▪ The crew was lost at sea. [=the crew disappeared while traveling on the sea]
2 : confused and not confident ▪ She felt completely at sea when she started her new job.
2 : confused and not confident ▪ She felt completely at sea when she started her new job.
between the devil and the deep blue sea —see devil
fish in the sea —see 1fish
go to sea
somewhat old-fashioned : to become a sailor ▪ He went to sea at a young age.
out to sea
: toward or into a part of the ocean that is far away from land ▪ The boat headed out to sea. ▪ He fell overboard and was swept out to sea.
put (out) to sea
: to leave a port, harbor, etc., and begin traveling on the sea ▪ The ship put to sea. ▪ We will dock tonight and put out to sea tomorrow.