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oceanography

[ oh-shuh-nog-ruh-fee, oh-shee-uh- ]

noun

  1. the branch of physical geography dealing with the ocean.


oceanography

/ ˌəʊʃənəˈɡræfɪk; ˌəʊʃɪə-; ˌəʊʃəˈnɒɡrəfɪ; ˌəʊʃɪə- /

noun

  1. the branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, geological, and biological features of the oceans and ocean basins


oceanography

/ ō′shə-nŏgrə-fē /

  1. The scientific study of oceans, the life that inhabits them, and their physical characteristics, including the depth and extent of ocean waters, their movement and chemical makeup, and the topography and composition of the ocean floors. Oceanography also includes ocean exploration.
  2. Also called oceanology


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Derived Forms

  • oceanographic, adjective
  • ˌoceanˈographer, noun
  • ˌoceanoˈgraphically, adverb

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Other Words From

  • ocea·nogra·pher noun
  • o·cea·no·graph·ic [oh-sh, uh, -n, uh, -, graf, -ik], ocea·no·graphi·cal adjective
  • ocea·no·graphi·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of oceanography1

First recorded in 1855–60; ocean + -o- + -graphy

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Example Sentences

“If you look at the volume of the International Space Station, it’s nothing compared to an ocean tanker,” says Cameron Ainsworth, an associate professor of physical oceanography at University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.

An introduction to oceanography course left her wondering about all the parts of the world she never knew existed.

From Time

If the last century of exploring the solar system was about coming to grips with alien geology, Hansen says, this coming century is going to be about oceanography — getting a grip on the strange seas in our own solar system.

Going it alone would “be equivalent to a microbiologist studying microbes in the ocean and not knowing anything about oceanography,” he says.

Then as now, the magazine’s readers feasted on a smorgasbord of delicious tidbits from a menu encompassing all flavors of science — from the atom to outer space, from agriculture to oceanography, from transportation to, of course, food and nutrition.

They followed the asphalt avenue, between two narrow dense gardens, leading to the Museum of Oceanography.

The Museum of Oceanography could wait; it would not move away during his absence from the point on the rock of Monaco.

The Casino spread its influence in every direction, reaching even the Museum of Oceanography.

At present he was standing on an asphalt square, opposite the steps of the Museum of Oceanography.

Thalassog′raphy, the science of the ocean, oceanography; Thalassom′eter, a tide-gauge.

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oceanog.oceanologic