1. of or relating to the open ocean or deep sea
Usage: marine biology; oceanography

Examples

• The pelagial zone contains many species of fish that never approach the shore.
• Scientists study pelagial organisms to understand deep ocean ecosystems.
• Pelagial waters are characterized by their distance from land masses.
• The research vessel collected samples from pelagial depths.
• Many pelagial species migrate vertically through different ocean layers.
• Pelagial environments are vastly different from coastal marine habitats.