oceanic
adjective
oce·an·ic
ˌō-shē-ˈa-nik 
1
a
: of or relating to the ocean
b
: occurring in or frequenting the ocean and especially the open sea as distinguished from littoral or neritic waters
3
Oceanic linguistics
: relating to, belonging to, or characterizing a subfamily of the Austronesian family of languages that is spoken in Polynesia and most of the islands of Melanesia and Micronesia
Examples of oceanic in a Sentence
the theory that ancient mariners took advantage of oceanic currents to roam the seas on primitive rafts
during his solo crossing of the Atlantic he managed to avoid the fierce oceanic storms that rage in those tropical latitudes
Recent Examples on the Web
Top Ocean Predators This transition shifted the composition of top predators in the ocean, essentially changing the oceanic food webs of the Late Cretaceous, according to Valentin Fischer of the Université de Liège in Belgium and his colleagues.
—
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
In fact, the global population of oceanic sharks and rays has dropped by 71% over the past 50 years.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The coast that extends from northern California to Vancouver Island in British Columbia sits on a subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca, Explorer and Gorda oceanic plates slip beneath the North American continental plate—parts of the ever moving slabs of rock that make up our planet.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
The only way to access the isolated oceanic island is by plane, which takes you to the stunning airport that so captured viewers’ attention.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oceanic
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Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
In fact, the global population of oceanic sharks and rays has dropped by 71% over the past 50 years.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The coast that extends from northern California to Vancouver Island in British Columbia sits on a subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca, Explorer and Gorda oceanic plates slip beneath the North American continental plate—parts of the ever moving slabs of rock that make up our planet.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
The only way to access the isolated oceanic island is by plane, which takes you to the stunning airport that so captured viewers’ attention.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oceanic
Cite this Entry
“Oceanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oceanic. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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