A1 noun Neutral

ocean

/ˈoʊʃən/

A very large area of salt water that covers the majority of the Earth's surface. It is much larger than a sea and surrounds the continents.

Examples

3 of 5
1

We are going to the ocean for our summer vacation.

We are going to the ocean for our summer vacation.

2

The protection of the ocean is a global priority for all nations.

The protection of the ocean is a global priority for all nations.

3

The water in the ocean is freezing today!

The water in the ocean is freezing today!

Word Family

Noun
ocean
Adverb
oceanically
Adjective
oceanic
Related
oceanography
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'O' in Ocean as a big, round bubble in the middle of the water.

Quick Quiz

The Atlantic _______ is located between the Americas and Europe.

Correct!

The correct answer is: ocean

Examples

1

We are going to the ocean for our summer vacation.

everyday

We are going to the ocean for our summer vacation.

2

The protection of the ocean is a global priority for all nations.

formal

The protection of the ocean is a global priority for all nations.

3

The water in the ocean is freezing today!

informal

The water in the ocean is freezing today!

4

The ocean regulates the Earth's temperature and climate patterns.

academic

The ocean regulates the Earth's temperature and climate patterns.

5

The company explores the ocean floor for natural resources.

business

The company explores the ocean floor for natural resources.

Word Family

Noun
ocean
Adverb
oceanically
Adjective
oceanic
Related
oceanography

Common Collocations

deep ocean deep ocean
ocean floor ocean floor
vast ocean vast ocean
ocean current ocean current
blue ocean blue ocean

Common Phrases

a drop in the ocean

a drop in the ocean

an ocean of

an ocean of

across the ocean

across the ocean

Often Confused With

ocean vs sea

An ocean is much larger than a sea; seas are often partially surrounded by land.

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Usage Notes

In American English, 'the ocean' is the standard term for the salt water at the beach, while British English speakers often prefer 'the sea'. It is almost always used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the water in general.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often omit the article 'the'. Instead of saying 'I like the ocean', they might say 'I like ocean'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'O' in Ocean as a big, round bubble in the middle of the water.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Ancient Greek word 'okeanos', which referred to the great river that was believed to encircle the world.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun (plural: oceans) usually used with the definite article 'the' can be used as a noun adjunct (e.g., ocean breeze)
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Cultural Context

The ocean is frequently used in literature and art as a symbol of both peace and dangerous power.

Quick Quiz

The Atlantic _______ is located between the Americas and Europe.

Correct!

The correct answer is: ocean

More nature words

rainforest

A1

A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.

tundra

A1

A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.

wetland

A1

A wetland is an area of land that is always wet or covered with shallow water. It is a very important place where many different plants and animals, like birds and frogs, live.

coral reef

A1

A coral reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletons of small sea animals called corals. They are usually found in warm, shallow parts of the ocean and provide a home for many types of fish.

vegetation

A1

Vegetation refers to all the plants and trees that grow in a particular area. It is used to describe the green cover of the earth, like forests or grass.

foliage

A1

Foliage refers to the leaves of a plant or tree, considered as a group. It is often used to describe the overall appearance and mass of greenery in a landscape or forest.

canopy

A1

A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.

photosynthesis

A1

Photosynthesis is the natural process that green plants use to make their own food. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy and release oxygen into the air.

pollination

A1

Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another to help plants make seeds and fruit. This is usually done by insects like bees or by the wind.

seedling

A1

A seedling is a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It usually has a small green stem and its first few tiny leaves.

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