hair seal

noun

: any of a family (Phocidae) of seals having a coarse hairy coat, the hind limbs reduced to swimming flippers, and no external ears

called also true seal

compare eared seal

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hair seal

noun

: any of a family of seals with hairy coats and no ears on the outside of the head

called also earless seal, true seal