ocean
ocean Lexical Profile
ocean Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A vast, continuous body of salt water that covers more than seventy percent of the Earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses, or any of its five major geographical divisions (the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic).
"Marine biologists study how rising temperatures affect coral reefs across the ocean."
An immense, boundless expanse or a very large quantity of something.
"She was met with an ocean of smiling faces when she stepped onto the stage."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably in casual speech, 'ocean' refers to the vast, continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth or its five major divisions, whereas a 'sea' is a smaller subdivision typically partially enclosed by land.
• Rhymes for ocean
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'occean', via Latin 'oceanus', from Ancient Greek 'Ōkeanos', the personified Titan and great outer river believed by the ancients to encircle the entire habitable world.