Word
seafloor
UK/sˈiːflɔː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the ground at the bottom of the sea or ocean. You use it when you talk about the sand, rocks, and plants under the water.
n. the solid surface forming the bottom of a sea or ocean, composed of sediment, rock, and other deposits.
Examples
“Crabs and starfish live on the seafloor.”
“The divers swim down to study the shells and rocks on the seafloor.”
“Geologists map the seafloor to track underwater mountains, deep valleys, and zones where tectonic plates slowly pull apart.”
Examples
simple
“Crabs and starfish live on the seafloor.”
contextual
“The divers swim down to study the shells and rocks on the seafloor.”
complex
“Geologists map the seafloor to track underwater mountains, deep valleys, and zones where tectonic plates slowly pull apart.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “seafloor” in context.
Verb
01. disturb seafloor
“Trawling nets can seriously disturb the seafloor.”
verb + noun
02. explore seafloor
“Researchers sent a robot down to explore the seafloor.”
verb + noun
03. live on seafloor
“Many strange creatures live on the seafloor.”
verb + prep + noun
04. map seafloor
“Scientists use sonar to map the seafloor accurately.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. deep seafloor
“Very little light reaches the deep seafloor.”
adj + noun
06. flat seafloor
“The submarine moved slowly over the flat seafloor.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. area of seafloor
“This area of seafloor is protected from fishing.”
noun + prep + noun
08. crack in seafloor
“Hot water escapes through a crack in the seafloor.”
noun + prep + noun
09. image of seafloor
“The photo gave us the first clear image of the seafloor.”
noun + prep + noun
10. explore the deep seafloor
“Submarines allow scientists to explore the deep seafloor.”
11. life on the seafloor
“There is surprising life on the seafloor near hot vents.”
12. map the seafloor in detail
“New technology lets us map the seafloor in detail.”
Real-World Examples
“After finding cold seeps on the seafloor of the Arctic Ocean, scientists collected samples of the sediment, which sometimes rested more than 1,000 feet below the surface.” “The seafloor, especially in parts of the Pacific Ocean, is covered by potato-shaped rocks known as polymetallic nodules that are filled with metals used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.” “They collected more than 40 long cores, or tubes, of seafloor sediment from locations around the peninsula.” “Better seafloor maps help us with navigation and conservation, among many other uses.” Etymology
From sea + floor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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