- the sea ⇒
the mass of salt water on the earth's surface as differentiated from the land (as modifier): sea air - (capital when part of place name)
one of the smaller areas of ocean: the Irish Sea a large inland area of water: the Caspian Sea turbulence or swell, esp of considerable size: heavy seas - (capital when part of a name)
any of many huge dry plains on the surface of the moon
See alsomare 2 anything resembling the sea in size or apparent limitlessness - at sea ⇒
on the ocean in a state of confusion - go to sea ⇒
to become a sailor - put to sea, put out to sea ⇒
to embark on a sea voyage
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sea /si/USA pronunciation
n.
adj. [before a noun]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface;
ocean: [countable]the seven seas.[uncountable]The early settlers traveled great distances by sea. - a division of these waters, marked off by land boundaries:[countable* usually: the + ~]The Dead Sea is between Israel and Jordan.
- a large wave:[countable]The heavy seas almost drowned us.
- an overwhelming amount:[countable]a sea of faces.
adj. [before a noun]
- of, relating to, or suited for use at sea.
- Idioms at sea:
- on the ocean:We'd been at sea for only a few weeks.
- [be + ~] confused;
perplexed;
uncertain:was totally at sea in his new job.
sea
(sē),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface.
- a division of these waters, of considerable extent, more or less definitely marked off by land boundaries:the North Sea.
- one of the seven seas;
ocean. - a large lake or landlocked body of water.
- the degree or amount of turbulence of the ocean or other body of water, as caused by the wind.
- the waves.
- a large wave:The heavy seas almost drowned us.
- a widely extended, copious, or overwhelming quantity:a sea of faces; a sea of troubles.
- the work, travel, and shipboard life of a sailor:The sea is a hard life but a rewarding one.
- Astronomymare3.
- Idioms at sea:
- on the ocean.
- perplexed;
uncertain:completely at sea as to how to answer the question.Also, asea.
- Idioms follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career:Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.
- Idioms go to sea:
- to set out on a voyage.
- to embark on a nautical career.
- Idioms half seas over, [Slang.]partly or completely drunk:They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.Also, half-seas over.
- Idioms put to sea, to embark on a sea voyage:The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.Also, put out to sea.
adj.
- of, pertaining to, or adapted for use at sea.
- bef. 900; Middle English see, Old English sǣ; cognate with Dutch zee, German See, Old Norse sær sea, Gothic saiws marsh
- 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged multitude, host, abundance, mass.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'sea bed' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
continental shelf
- drilling platform
- echo sounder
- lagan
- oil well
- oyster
- oyster bed
- sea cucumber
- seabed