“The Mediterranean is an ocean.”
Usage Entry 1492 / 1605 60-second read
Ocean vs. Sea
A vast body of saltwater (one of five) versus a smaller saltwater body, often partially enclosed.
The comparisoni
“The Mediterranean is a SEA — a saltwater body partially enclosed by land. There are five OCEANS: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic.”
The ruleii
¶
OCEAN = vast. SEA = smaller / partial.
OCEANS: the five large saltwater bodies (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic). SEAS: smaller saltwater bodies, often partially enclosed by land (Mediterranean, Caribbean, North Sea). All seas connect to oceans; the term is by convention.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
5 oceans; many seas.