sulu sea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Geographic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “sulu sea” mean?
A marginal sea in the southwestern Philippines, located between Palawan, the Sulu Archipelago, and Mindanao.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marginal sea in the southwestern Philippines, located between Palawan, the Sulu Archipelago, and Mindanao.
In geopolitical and ecological contexts, refers to the region including its waters, islands, and associated territories, often discussed regarding maritime security, biodiversity, and regional politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Spelling remains 'Sulu Sea' in both variants. The term is internationally standardised.
Connotations
In both variants, it connotes a specific region in Southeast Asia, often associated with topics like piracy, coral reefs, or territorial disputes.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, appearing primarily in geographic, news, or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sulu sea” in a Sentence
[The] Sulu Sea [separates/links] X and YX is located in the Sulu SeaThe Sulu Sea is known for YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sulu sea” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Sulu Sea maritime patrols
- Sulu Sea ecosystem
American English
- Sulu Sea trade routes
- Sulu Sea security concerns
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare; might appear in shipping, logistics, or maritime resource reports (e.g., 'Shipping lanes through the Sulu Sea').
Academic
Common in geography, marine biology, political science, and history papers (e.g., 'Coral biodiversity in the Sulu Sea').
Everyday
Extremely rare; used only when discussing specific news or travel related to the Philippines.
Technical
Used in maritime navigation, oceanography, and geopolitical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sulu sea”
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sulu sea”
- Misspelling as 'Sooloo Sea' (archaic) or 'Sula Sea'.
- Using an indefinite article ('a Sulu Sea').
- Confusing it with the Celebes Sea to the south.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
It is known for its rich marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, and has been a noted area for maritime security concerns.
While technically possible, it is not a common tourist destination for swimming due to security advisories in parts of the region and its often remote nature.
The island of Palawan and the Palawan Passage separate the Sulu Sea from the South China Sea.
A marginal sea in the southwestern Philippines, located between Palawan, the Sulu Archipelago, and Mindanao.
Sulu sea is usually formal, geographic, academic in register.
Sulu sea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːluː siː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːluː siː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SULU' = Sea Under Luzon (island) & Upper Landmasses (of Borneo/Mindanao).' Not accurate but links to map position.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIQUID BORDER / A MARITIME CORRIDOR (conceptualised as a connecting or separating space between land masses).
Practice
Quiz
The Sulu Sea is primarily associated with which country?