| the area offshore where waves break, between the outermost breaker and the limit of wave uprush; the zone within which waves approaching the coastline start breaking, usually in water depths of 16 to 32 feet (5 to 10 m). |
| breaker zone n. The nearshore zone between the outermost breakers and the area of the wave uprush. Also called surf zone. |
| breaker zone
The nearshore zone between the outermost breakers and the bore area where wave water rushes onto the beach. The water in the breaker zone is shallow, usually between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) deep; therefore, most waves there are unstable. Also called surf zone. |