# waters

/ˈwɔtɝz/ (US) · /wˈɔːtəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/waters
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. large bodies of water

noun · CEFR B1 · Literary

a large area of water, such as an ocean, a sea, or a very large lake.

For teachers: a collective reference to a large expanse of water, typically a sea or ocean.

- The ship sailed across the deep blue waters of the Pacific.
- The explorer spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean, documenting previously uncharted islands along the way.

### 2. territorial sea

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the part of the sea that belongs to a specific country.

For teachers: the area of sea under the jurisdiction of a particular nation or state.

- The fishing boat was caught entering international waters without a permit.
- Diplomatic tensions escalated after the naval vessel was spotted patrolling within the sovereign waters of the neighbouring island nation.

### 3. amniotic fluid

noun · CEFR B2

the liquid that surrounds a baby inside the mother before it is born.

For teachers: the amniotic fluid that surrounds a foetus in the womb, typically mentioned when the membranes rupture before birth.

- She knew the baby was coming soon because her waters broke.
- The midwife advised the couple to head to the hospital immediately once the mother's waters had broken.

Usage: Usually used in the plural with the verb 'break'.

## Examples

- The ship sailed into international waters.
- Local fishermen are concerned about the presence of foreign vessels in these coastal waters.
- The treaty was designed to resolve long-standing disputes regarding fishing rights in the territorial waters surrounding the archipelago.

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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.