seaman

noun

sea·​man ˈsē-mən How to pronounce seaman (audio)
1
2
a
: any of the three ranks below petty officer in the navy or coast guard
b
: an enlisted man in the navy or coast guard ranking above a seaman apprentice and below a petty officer

Examples of seaman in a Sentence

a weathered old seaman who now captains a tour boat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Captains and seamen alike reaped the benefits of having these scientists on board with them. Will McGough, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The captain of a diving boat has been found guilty of seaman’s manslaughter after one of his passengers died tangled up in the propeller, according to federal prosecutors in Florida. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 For their heroic efforts, two — an ensign and a seaman — were awarded medals of honor. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024 The year is 1600 and a stubborn British seaman piloting a Dutch ship washes ashore in Japan. Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for seaman

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seaman was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Seaman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seaman. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

seaman

noun
sea·​man ˈsē-mən How to pronounce seaman (audio)
1
2
: a naval enlisted person with a rank below those of petty officers
especially : an enlisted person with a rank just below that of petty officer third class

More from Merriam-Webster on seaman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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