UNDERWATER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does underwater mean? 

• UNDERWATER (adjective)
  The adjective UNDERWATER has 2 senses:

1. beneath the surface of the water

2. growing or remaining under water

  Familiarity information: UNDERWATER used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNDERWATER (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Beneath the surface of the water

Synonyms:

submerged; submersed; underwater

Context example:

submerged rocks

Similar:

subsurface (beneath the surface)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Growing or remaining under water

Synonyms:

subaquatic; subaqueous; submerged; submersed; underwater

Context example:

submerged leaves

Similar:

aquatic (operating or living or growing in water)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

 Context examples 

Most of Earth's volcanism takes place underwater.

(Underwater volcano's fiery eruption captured in detail by seafloor observatory, NSF)

It starts out as a rumble, like something heard underwater.

(Song of the red rock arches, National Science Foundation)

The new island is perched on the north rim of a caldera on top of an underwater volcano that stands nearly 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) above the surrounding the sea floor.

(NASA Shows New Tongan Island Made of Tuff Stuff, Likely to Persist Years, NASA)

Since the cavity recoils so fast after the droplet’s impact, it causes a small air bubble to get trapped underwater.

(What causes the sound of a dripping tap – and how do you stop it?, University of Cambridge)

Octopuses have amazed scientists for centuries —these underwater creatures can open jars, recognize faces and now a stunning video has suggested that they have dreams.

(Octopuses can dream, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

During a four-day experiment in Monterey Bay, the scientists recorded a 3.5 magnitude quake and seismic scattering from underwater fault zones.

(Underwater telecom cables make superb seismic network, National Science Foundation)

Without enough sharks, the grazers could devour the underwater grass beds, Michael Heithaus of Florida International University (FIU) has found.

(Sharks, the seagrass protectors, National Science Foundation)

The Sahara Desert was once underwater, in contrast to its present-day arid environment.

(Ancient Saharan seaway illustrates how Earth’s climate and creatures can undergo extreme change, National Science Foundation)

To obtain comprehensive geomorphic, sedimentological, biological and dating information, scientists deployed underwater sonar to map the sea floor and extracted fossil reef cores at 16 locations.

(Major study reveals Great Barrier Reef’s 30,000-year fight for survival, University of Granada)

Working in the Galapagos Islands, the biologists studied wave motions, conducted underwater experiments and used marine life censuses to evaluate the effects of wave turbulence on sea urchins and fish feeding on algae.

(Galapagos sea life study highlights importance of biodiversity in the face of climate change, National Science Foundation)