Pelagic
[pə-LAJ-ik]
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Greek, 17th century
1.
Relating to the open sea.
Examples of Pelagic in a sentence
"Many sharks are pelagic and don’t often venture close to shore."
"With towering waves and pummeling winds, pelagic storms can be terrifying."
About Pelagic
“Pelagic” is based on the ancient Greek “πελαγικός” (“pelagikós”), meaning “of the sea.”
Did you Know?
About 50% of the Earth consists of oceans more than 2 miles deep. Generally, the term “pelagic” refers to the open ocean, but an ocean’s “pelagic zone” refers both to areas away from shore, and also away from the bottom. The pelagic zone is close to no soil, above and below the water. In this area, pelagic animals are abundant, including schools of small fish such as sardines and anchovies, and bigger predatory fish that feed on them, such as tuna, swordfish, and sharks.
