sea level

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   The average height of the ocean's surface, used as the zero point for measuring heights on land.

   Grammar: Often used with above or below: 500 meters above sea level.

   Patterns

   • above sea level
   • below sea level
   • at sea level

   The village lies 800 meters above sea level.

   Much of the Netherlands is at or below sea level.

   Air pressure is highest at sea level.

2. 2noununcountable

   The current height of the ocean, especially when discussing how it is changing over time.

   Grammar: Often modified: rising sea level, global sea level.

   Patterns

   • a rise in sea level
   • sea level rise

   Scientists track how fast sea level is rising.

   A higher sea level puts coastal towns at risk.

   The storm surge was added to the normal sea level.

Common combinations

above sea level

The city sits above sea level.

below sea level

The farmland is below sea level and protected by dikes.

at sea level

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.

rising sea level

A rising sea level threatens island nations.

sea-level rise

Sea-level rise will flood low-lying neighborhoods.

mean sea level

Mean sea level is the average over many years.

Synonyms and how they differ

altitude

Altitude is the height above sea level, not the sea level itself.

elevation

Elevation names the height of land, usually measured from sea level.

water level

Water level can refer to any lake or river, while sea level is specifically about the ocean.

Word family

sea noun

the large body of salt water covering the earth

level noun

a height or position on a scale

sea-level adjective

located at or measured from sea level

seaboard noun

the coast or region along the sea

Commonly confused: sea level or altitude? sea level or water table?

Practice

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