ocean

Everyday

1. The huge body of salt water that covers most of the Earth. tree →
2. One of its five big named parts: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic Oceans. tree →
3. A very large amount (informal: oceans of time). tree →

In the lessons

In geography: oceans cover about 71% of Earth's surface; the Pacific is the biggest and deepest; continents sit between oceans. In science: ocean water is salty; tides are caused mainly by the Moon; whales, sharks and coral live in oceans; plastic pollution harms sea life. In safety: rip currents, waves and tides at the beach — swim between the flags. Phrases: the ocean floor, ocean waves, ocean currents, across the ocean, deep ocean.

Examples

• The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean. tree →
• Oceans cover most of our planet. tree →
• Ocean water is too salty to drink. tree →
• Whales live in the ocean. tree →
• Plastic bags can hurt animals in the ocean. tree →
• We sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. tree →
• The ocean floor is dark and cold. tree →
• In the US people say «the ocean» where people in the UK often say «the sea». tree →

Note

Countable: an ocean (with «an»). Say «OH-shun». Names have capitals: the Indian Ocean. An ocean is much bigger than a sea; seas are smaller parts often next to land. In maths: «71% of the Earth is ocean» means about 7 parts in 10.