strait
Plural
straits
1
a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water, often linking two seas or an inlet with a larger expanse of water
- The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for oil tankers, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
- The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from mainland China, and it is an area of geopolitical significance.
- Ships must navigate carefully through the Bosporus Strait, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
- In Southeast Asia, the Strait of Malacca is a critical maritime passage between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Synonyms:
2
a difficult situation
- The family found themselves in dire financial straits.
- He navigated the legal straits with careful advice from his lawyer.
- The company was in a strait after losing its largest client.
- During the war, citizens lived in economic straits.
- She faced emotional straits after the sudden loss of her job.