Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to the sea: Pertaining to the ocean, its environment, or its inhabitants.
   • Native to or inhabiting the sea: Describing organisms that live in the ocean.
   • Relating to shipping or naval affairs: Concerning maritime activities, navigation, or commerce.
   • Of or relating to a specific military force: Pertaining to soldiers trained for amphibious warfare, such as the U.S. Marine Corps.

2. Noun:

   • A soldier serving on land and sea: A member of a military corps, such as the U.S. Marine Corps, trained for operations both at sea and on land.
   • (Archaic) A fleet or naval force: A collective term for ships, especially merchant ships.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Marine biology is the study of ocean life.
  • The coral reef is a rich marine ecosystem.
  • The company specializes in marine insurance for cargo ships.
  • He served in a marine battalion.

• Noun:

  • The marine was deployed overseas.
  • (Archaic) The nation's merchant marine was vital for trade.

Advanced Usage

• "Marine layer": A meteorological term for a dense, moist air mass that develops over the ocean and can move inland.

  • The coastal town was covered by a thick marine layer each morning.

• "Marine transgression": A geological term for the advance of the sea over land areas.

  • Scientists study fossils to understand periods of marine transgression.

Variants and Related Words

• Mariner (n): A sailor or seaman.

  • The old mariner told tales of his voyages.

• Maritime (adj): Connected with the sea, especially in relation to commercial or military activity. (Note: While closely related, 'maritime' often refers more to human activity and law, whereas 'marine' often refers to the natural sea environment.)

  • Maritime law governs shipping.

• Submarine (adj/n): Existing, occurring, or used under the sea. (This is a compound word listed here as a related term.)

  • Submarine cables carry internet signals across oceans.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Oceanic, nautical, maritime, naval, sea.
• Noun: (For soldier) Leatherneck (U.S. informal), soldier.

Related Phrases

• "Tell it to the marines": An idiom expressing disbelief, suggesting a story is too fanciful to be believed by experienced soldiers.
  • He said he saw a flying car? Tell it to the marines!

Adjective

1. native to or inhabiting the sea
   • marine plants and animals such as seaweed and whales
2. relating to or characteristic of or occurring on or in the sea
3. of or relating to military personnel who serve both on land and at sea (specifically the U.S. Marine Corps)
   • marine barracks
4. relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen
   • nautical charts
   • maritime law
   • marine insurance
5. of or relating to the sea
   • marine explorations

Noun

1. a soldier who serves both on shipboard and on land
2. a member of the United States Marine Corps