elephant seal

noun

: either of two very large seals (genus Mirounga of the family Phocidae) characterized by a long inflatable proboscis:
a
: one (M. angustirostris) found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska to Baja California
b
: one (M. leonina) found in coastal waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia

Examples of elephant seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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After nearly going extinct, elephant seals are a conservation success story. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025 The southern end of Drakes Beach, below the elephant seal overlook, is closed year-round. Adrian Rodriguez, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025 Each year from December through March, the National Park Service closes areas in the park where pupping elephant seals congregate. Adrian Rodriguez, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025 Tule elk wander Point Reyes and elephant seals laze on its beaches. Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elephant seal 

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elephant seal was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near elephant seal

Cite this Entry

“Elephant seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20seal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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