# ocean

/ˈoʊʃən/ (US) · /ˈəʊʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. large body of water

noun · CEFR A2

one of the five huge areas of salt water on Earth, like the Atlantic or Pacific.

For teachers: one of the major bodies of salt water into which the global hydrosphere is divided.

- The ship spent two weeks crossing the Atlantic Ocean during the summer.
- Marine biologists are concerned that rising temperatures in the Southern Ocean could disrupt the migratory patterns of several whale species.

### 2. a vast amount

noun · CEFR B2

a very large amount or a huge space of something.

For teachers: an immense expanse or a vast quantity of something, often used figuratively.

- Looking out from the mountain top, he saw an ocean of green trees.
- The candidate faced an ocean of criticism following the publication of the controversial report on urban planning.

### 3. mythology

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

in ancient Greek stories, the great river that people believed flowed around the world.

For teachers: the personification of the world-river in Greek mythology, often referred to as Oceanus.

- Ancient maps often showed Ocean as a river circling the entire earth.
- In Homeric epic, Ocean is depicted not as a sea, but as the generative source of all gods and rivers.

## Examples

- The blue ocean looks beautiful in the morning sun.
- Many different kinds of fish and whales live deep in the Atlantic ocean.
- Marine biologists are concerned that rising temperatures in the ocean will negatively impact the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.

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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.