California sea lion

noun

: a small brown sea lion (Zalophus californianus) that occurs especially along the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver Island to Baja California and the Gulf of California and in the Galapagos Islands and that is the seal most often trained to perform in circuses

Examples of California sea lion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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One by one, the four California sea lions slid out of their crates and into the ocean. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025 And then there is Ronan, a 15-year-old California sea lion. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 Ronan, a California sea lion of the Long Marine Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Gennaro Tomma, New York Times, 1 May 2025 That includes 44 birds, 57 California sea lions and 14 dolphins that were actively seizing or dead on arrival. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025 Although most of the marine mammals affected by domoic acid toxicity are California sea lions, other animals are also susceptible to its effects, according to the Marine Mammal Center. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Most of the sick and dying are adult female California sea lions. Stacie N. Galang, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Hundreds of long-beaked common dolphins were seen along with a California sea lion that was being harassed by birds while trying to enjoy a meal, the post said. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025 State of play: These California sea lions were found emaciated or wounded around San Diego County beaches, including one with a shark bite. Kate Murphy, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California sea lion was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“California sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20sea%20lion. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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