maritime provinces: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, geographic, historical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “maritime provinces” mean?
The eastern Canadian provinces that border the Atlantic Ocean.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The eastern Canadian provinces that border the Atlantic Ocean.
The collective term for the three Canadian provinces on the Atlantic coast (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island), often including Newfoundland and Labrador in common contemporary usage. The region is defined by its geographical relationship to the sea, history, culture, and economy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is specific to Canadian geography and is understood and used identically in both British and American English when referring to Canada. The term itself is not used to describe regions in the UK or USA.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a specific Canadian region, often with associations of fishing, coastal life, and a distinct cultural heritage within Canada.
Frequency
More frequent in Canadian English. In UK and US English, it appears primarily in contexts discussing Canadian geography, history, or news.
Grammar
How to Use “maritime provinces” in a Sentence
the Maritime Provinces of Canadain the Maritime Provincesacross the Maritime ProvincesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “maritime provinces” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The university has a strong maritime provinces studies programme.
American English
- She is an expert on maritime provinces history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports on regional economics, e.g., 'The tech sector is growing in the Maritime Provinces.'
Academic
Frequent in geography, history, and Canadian studies texts, e.g., 'The settlement patterns of the Maritime Provinces were shaped by the fishery.'
Everyday
Used by Canadians when discussing travel or regions, e.g., 'We're taking a trip to the Maritime Provinces this summer.'
Technical
Used in meteorology (e.g., 'maritime climate'), political science, and demographic studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maritime provinces”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “maritime provinces”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maritime provinces”
- Using lowercase ('maritime provinces') in formal writing where it is a proper name. Confusing it with 'Atlantic Canada' without noting the inclusion/exclusion of Newfoundland and Labrador.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in the strict historical and geographical definition. Newfoundland and Labrador is part of Atlantic Canada. The Maritime Provinces specifically refer to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
The term 'maritime' means 'connected with the sea'. These provinces all have significant coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean, and their cultures and economies have been deeply influenced by the sea.
There is no single capital, as they are three separate provinces. The provincial capitals are Fredericton (New Brunswick), Halifax (Nova Scotia), and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island).
Yes, 'the Maritimes' is a very common and accepted informal synonym for 'the Maritime Provinces'.
The eastern Canadian provinces that border the Atlantic Ocean.
Maritime provinces is usually formal, academic, geographic, historical, journalistic in register.
Maritime provinces: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmær.ɪ.taɪm ˈprɒv.ɪn.sɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.ə.taɪm ˈprɑː.vɪn.sɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MARINE TIME capsule found on the PROVINCE's shore, linking the sea ('maritime') to these specific coastal provinces.
Conceptual Metaphor
REGION AS A COASTAL ENTITY (defined by its border with the sea).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT one of the core Maritime Provinces?