English Reference
adjective · noun

marine

adj. · n.
US /mɝˈin/ UK /məɹˈiːn/ ma·rine

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Science

    adj.related to the ocean or the creatures that live in it.

    adj.pertaining to or inhabiting the ocean; used to describe biological, geological, or environmental aspects of the sea.

    Simple

    The documentary explores how marine life survives in the deepest parts of the ocean.

    In context

    Biologists are concerned that rising water temperatures will disrupt delicate marine ecosystems and lead to a decline in fish populations.

    terrestrialland based
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.related to ships, trading by sea, or the navy.

    adj.relating to shipping, maritime commerce, or naval forces.

    Simple

    The city has a long history as a center for marine insurance and trade.

    In context

    The company specializes in marine engineering, designing engines specifically capable of withstanding the corrosive effects of salt water.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    n.a soldier who is trained to serve on a ship and fight on both land and sea.

    n.a member of a military body, typically a marine corps, trained for amphibious warfare and serving aboard naval vessels.

    Simple

    After finishing his training, he joined the marines and was sent overseas.

    In context

    The marines were the first to reach the coast, establishing a secure perimeter before the rest of the infantry arrived.

    Usage

    Often capitalized when referring to a specific branch, such as the U.S. Marines.

    soldierleatherneck
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency ArchaicFormal

    n.a country's entire group of ships, including trading ships and the navy.

    n.the collective shipping of a country, including both commercial and military vessels.

    Simple

    The king spent years building a powerful merchant marine to increase trade.

    In context

    The nation's mercantile marine was once the largest in the world, facilitating the transport of goods across every major ocean.

Usage marine life · marine ecosystems · marine environments

Marine heatwaves are emerging as a threat not just to coral reefs and fisheries, but to human health and well-being.

ScienceDaily· 11 Aug 2026

Around Europe, sea surface temperatures in July reached record highs along the Atlantic coast and in the western Mediterranean, contributing to widespread strong and severe marine heatwaves.

BBC News· 10 Aug 2026

Recorded since c.1420 as Middle English marin, borrowed from Middle French marin, from Old French, from Latin marinus (“of the sea”), itself from mare (“sea”), from Proto-Indo-European móri (“body of water, lake”) (cognate with Old English mere (“sea, lake, pool, pond”), Dutch meer, German Meer, all from Proto-Germanic mari). The modern pronunciation is presumably due to the influence of modern French marine, feminine singular of marin.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *móri
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated