The sea is the interconnected system of all the Earth's oceanic waters, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Southern and Arctic Oceans. [1] However, the word "sea" can also be used for many specific, much smaller bodies of seawater, such as the North Sea or the Red Sea. The meaning of SEA is 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.

Understanding the Context

How to use sea in a sentence. In contrast, seas are smaller and shallower, often partially enclosed by land. For instance, the Atlantic Ocean covers approximately one-fifth of Earth’s surface, while the Mediterranean Sea, a well-known sea, is significantly smaller. Pockets of life thrive when food is available, and often these distinct deep sea communities rely on alternate sources of chemical energy that do not originate from the sun—they have figured a way to make do with what they get.

Key Insights

SEA definition: 1. the salty water that covers a large part of the surface of the earth, or a large area of salty…. Learn more. A "sea" is often defined as a large body of saltwater, either forming part of the Earth's vast oceans or being partially enclosed by land. Examples include the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

Final Thoughts

A sea is generally smaller than an ocean. In fact, a sea is usually part of a larger ocean that is partially enclosed by land. Examples are the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea. By definition, a sea is a smaller part of an ocean and is typically partially contained by an area of land. Almost all seas are found in areas where the ocean and land meet.