milky sea noun1 •A milky or pale blue-green glow in seawater (caused by bioluminescent plankton or bacteria), observed on some moonless nights (especially in the Indian Ocean), differing from other kinds of seafire by occurring over a vast expanse and even when the water is undisturbed (by oars, etc).A milky sea shines from horizon to horizon like a field of fresh snow (when only the surface layers shine) or a cloud (when deeper layers also shine). formsmilky seas