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

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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 The elephant seal survived, and was monitored by NOAA's Marine Stranding Team and later relocated, the office said in a news release. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 9 May 2025 Watching Baby Elephant Seals At Point Reyes National Seashore March marks the final weeks of elephant seal pupping season, which means this is the time when visitors can see the most baby seals on the beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore. Emese MacZko, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Elephant seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20seal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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