open ocean
open ocean — noun
1. the area of ocean that is far from any land and not sheltered by a coast.
the area of ocean that is far from any land and not sheltered by a coast.
After three days, the Watanabe family reached the open ocean, where no land was visible.
collocation: 'reach the open ocean' after a voyage
Oceanographer Nadia studies how plastic waste travels across the open ocean and harms marine animals far from shore.
collocation: 'across the open ocean' for movement
Kwame and his crew spent weeks crossing the open ocean between Hawaii and Tahiti by canoe.
Marine biologist Amira lowered a camera into the open ocean near the Mariana Trench and filmed a glowing jellyfish.
Freya prefers coastal kayaking because the open ocean feels too vast for her small boat.
- high seas
a legal term for international waters beyond any country's jurisdiction, whereas 'open ocean' is a geographical description
- deep sea
emphasises depth rather than distance from land; often refers to the ocean floor or the water column below the surface layer
- pelagic zone
the scientific term for the open-ocean water column, used mainly in marine biology and oceanography
- coastal waters
the shallow sea areas near the coastline
- inshore
the part of the sea closest to the shore, often sheltered by land
文法句型
the + open ocean
用法筆記
Frequently used with the definite article — 'the open ocean' — especially when referring to the concept as a distinct environment. Contrast with 'coastal waters', 'inshore', or 'the shallows'.