sea

Universal Words noun 1 (often the sea) [U] (also literary seas [pl.]) (especially BrE) the salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its continents and islands: to travel by sea * a cottage by the sea * The waste was dumped in the sea. * Now the wreck is lying at the bottom of the sea. * We left port and headed for the open sea (= far away from land). * the cold seas of the Antarctic * a sea voyage * a hotel room with sea view seealsoTHEHIGHSEAS, OCEAN 2 [C] (often Sea, especially as part of a name) a large area of salt water that is part of an ocean or surrounded by land: the North Sea * the Caspian Sea 3 [C] (also seas [pl.]) the movement of the waves of the sea: It was a calm sea. * The sea was very rough. 4 [sing.] ~ of sth a large amount of sth that stretches over a wide area: He looked down at the sea of smiling faces before him. IDIOMS at sea 1 on the sea, especially in a ship, or in the sea: It happened on the second night at sea. * They were lost at sea. 2 confused and not knowing what to do: I'm all at sea with these new regulations. go to sea to become a sailor out to sea far away from land where the sea is deepest: She fell overboard and was swept out to sea. put (out) to sea to leave a port or harbour by ship or boat moreatDEVIL, FISHn. ______________________________ BRITISH/AMERICAN sea / ocean In BrE, the usual word for the mass of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface is the sea. In AmE, the usual word is the ocean: A swimmer drowned in the sea / ocean this morning. The names of particular areas of seas, however, are fixed: the Mediterranean Sea * the Atlantic Ocean. Sea / ocean are also used if you go to the coast on holiday / vacation: We're spending a week at the sea / ocean in June. In AmE it is also common to say: We're going to the beach for vacation. -<noteatCOAST ______________________________