ABYSSAL Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

abyssal

[ uh-bis-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or like an abyss; immeasurable; unfathomable.
Oceanography. of or relating to the biogeographic zone of the ocean bottom between the bathyal and hadal zones: from depths of approximately 13,000 to 21,000 feet (4,000 to 6,500 meters).

abyssal

/ əˈ��ɪ��ə�� /

adjective

of or belonging to the ocean depths, esp below 2000 metres (6500 feet)
abyssal zone
geology another word for plutonic

abyssal

/ ə-��ĭ��′ə�� /

Relating to the greatest depths of the oceans and to the organisms that live there. The abyssal zone encompasses all depths below 4,000 m (13,120 ft).
Relating to the region of the ocean bottom between the bathyal and hadal zones , from depths of approximately 2,000 to 6,000 m (6,560 to 19,680 ft). The abyssal zone includes nearly two-thirds of the Earth's surface.

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of abyssal¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Medieval Latin ��, abyss, -al ¹

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

An underwater earthquake or a landslide can snap the cable deep in the abyssal zone.

From

At least 400 million years old, the family of lucinid clams inhabits a wide variety of habitats, from beautiful beaches to the dark abyssal depths.

From

MBARI's Continental Margin Processes Team, led by Senior Scientist Charlie Paull, investigates how the morphology of the continental margin -- where the continental shelf transitions to the abyssal plain -- is sculpted and changed over time.

From

After creating a portal to the abyssal world the End, they battle a flying dragon that shoots fireballs in between its poisonous breath attacks.

From

"As a result, there is a significant increase in the abyssal ocean heat content, contributing to local sea level rise due to the thermal expansion of the water."

From

Browse