ocean

Universal Words noun 1 (usually the ocean) [sing.] (especially AmE) the mass of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface: the depths of the ocean * People were swimming in the ocean despite the hurricane warning. * The plane hit the ocean several miles offshore. * Our beach house is just a couple of miles from the ocean. * an ocean liner / voyage * Ocean levels are rising. 2 (usually Ocean) [C] one of the five large areas that the ocean is divided into: the Antarctic / Arctic / Atlantic / Indian / Pacific Ocean -< SEA IDIOMS an ocean of sth (BrE also oceans of sth) (informal) a large amount of sth: oceans of food moreatDROPn.