# marine

/mɝˈin/ (US) · /məɹˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marine
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. related to the sea

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. shipping and navigation

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a soldier

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a fleet of ships

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The museum has a large collection of marine life.
- Scientists are studying how rising temperatures affect marine ecosystems and the survival of coral reefs.
- The government established a protected marine reserve to prevent commercial fishing from depleting the local biodiversity and damaging the fragile seabed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.