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
However, in summer, male elephant seals return to shore for their annual molting season, shedding their outer layer of skin and fur.
—
Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Bring Your…Telephoto Lens Your chance for cool wildlife photography is off the charts on the Lost Coast Trail, from deer grazing the grasslands to black bear and the aforementioned elephant seals.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Read Next North Carolina Headless dolphin on remote NC island prompts search for culprit, officials say
May 14, 2025 2:28 PM
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National
Baby elephant seal stabbed repeatedly on Oregon beach, feds say.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
In the spring and summer, juvenile elephant seals will often drag themselves onto Oregon's beaches to spend weeks shedding their hair and skin, according to Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute.
—CBS News, 8 May 2025
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Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Bring Your…Telephoto Lens Your chance for cool wildlife photography is off the charts on the Lost Coast Trail, from deer grazing the grasslands to black bear and the aforementioned elephant seals.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Read Next North Carolina Headless dolphin on remote NC island prompts search for culprit, officials say
May 14, 2025 2:28 PM
Read Next
National
Baby elephant seal stabbed repeatedly on Oregon beach, feds say.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
In the spring and summer, juvenile elephant seals will often drag themselves onto Oregon's beaches to spend weeks shedding their hair and skin, according to Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute.
—CBS News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elephant seal
Cite this Entry
“Elephant seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20seal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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