oceanic

[oh-shee-an-ik]

adjective

1. of, living in, or produced by the ocean.

   oceanic currents.

2. Oceanography.,  of or relating to the region of water lying above the bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones of the sea bottom.

3. immensely large; vast.

   an oceanic expanse of stars.

4. (initial capital letter),  of or relating to Oceania, its peoples, or their languages.

oceanic

¹

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ocean

2. living in the depths of the ocean beyond the continental shelf at a depth exceeding 200 metres

   oceanic fauna

3. huge or overwhelming

4. (of geological formations) of volcanic origin, arising from the ocean

   oceanic islands

Oceanic

²

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈænɪk /

noun

1. a branch, group, or subfamily of the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages, comprising Polynesian and Melanesian

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to this group of languages

2. of or relating to Oceania

oceanic

1. Relating to the ocean.

2. Relating to the ocean waters that lie beyond the continental shelf and exceed 200 m (656 ft) in depth.

3. Compare neritic See more at epipelagic zone

Other Word Forms

• preoceanic adjective
• unoceanic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oceanic¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Medieval Latin ōceanicus, equivalent to Latin ōcean(us) + -icus adjective suffix; ocean, -ic

Example Sentences

The Pacific plate is oceanic, which means it has dense rocks and wants to sink beneath the less dense microplate.

From BBC

The world's largest fringing reef and another of Australia's Unesco World Heritage Sites, it is home to a lush oceanic forest that spreads out along the coast for hundreds of kilometres.

From BBC

While Ramsey may be a stickler for oceanic preservation, it seems she’s done little to protect against her humility and self-awareness, floating out into the abyss.

From Salon

The action sets sail with a hefty oceanic sequence where Edwards leans on his expertise in sluicing fins and underwater ka-thumps.

From Los Angeles Times

Now I know how sharks feel as their oceanic ecosystems are corrupted, leaving some to rely on whatever food they can find.

From Salon