Definitions
01related to the sea
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.
“The documentary explores how marine life survives in the deepest parts of the ocean.”
“Biologists are concerned that rising water temperatures will disrupt delicate marine ecosystems and lead to a decline in fish populations.”
Antonyms
02shipping and navigation
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. related to ships, trading by sea, or the navy.
adj. relating to shipping, maritime commerce, or naval forces.
“The city has a long history as a center for marine insurance and trade.”
“The company specializes in marine engineering, designing engines specifically capable of withstanding the corrosive effects of salt water.”
03a soldier
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun 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.
“After finishing his training, he joined the marines and was sent overseas.”
“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.
Synonyms
04a fleet of ships
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Formal
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.
“The king spent years building a powerful merchant marine to increase trade.”
“The nation's mercantile marine was once the largest in the world, facilitating the transport of goods across every major ocean.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “marine” in context.
Adjective
01. diverse marine life
“The coral reef is home to incredibly diverse marine life, ranging from tiny shrimp to massive sharks.”
adj + noun
02. fragile marine ecosystems
“Rising ocean temperatures are putting immense pressure on fragile marine ecosystems worldwide.”
adj + noun
Noun
03. marine biology student
“As a marine biology student, she spent her summer researching the migration patterns of humpback whales.”
noun + noun
04. marine conservation efforts
“The government has increased funding for marine conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles.”
noun + noun
05. marine debris pollution
“Volunteers gathered on the beach to address the growing problem of marine debris pollution.”
noun + noun
06. marine life
07. marine ecosystems
08. marine environments
09. marine mammal
10. marine mammals
11. marine reserve
12. marine sediments
Real-World Examples
“Marine heatwaves are emerging as a threat not just to coral reefs and fisheries, but to human health and well-being.” “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.” “Evans says the team that found it probably thought the fossil belonged to a marine reptile.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
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englishreference.com/q/marine
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0