seahorse

noun

sea·​horse ˈsē-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce seahorse (audio)
plural seahorses
1
: any of a genus (Hippocampus of the family Syngnathidae) of small bony fishes that have the head angled downward toward the body which is carried vertically and are equipped with a prehensile tail
2
: a mythical creature half horse and half fish
3
: walrus

Illustration of seahorse

Illustration of seahorse
  • seahorse 1

Examples of seahorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Tropical fish, octopuses, and rays account for the usual suspects, while lucky sightings include seahorses, sea turtles, and even manatees. Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 In this week’s edition: Two teens, fentanyl, and the systems that failed them The private lives of pygmy seahorses An iconic national park during peak (idiot) tourist season The perseverance of a beginning beekeeper The attorney taking on doggy death row cases 1. Longreads, 4 Oct. 2024 Another couple of contractions and the baby seahorses were released into the water. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 1 Oct. 2024 According to the International Climate Initiative, the area is the habitat of 70 percent of Peru's marine species, including turtles, humpback whales (which specifically travel here to give birth), hammerhead sharks, the Humboldt penguin, and the Pacific seahorse. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2024 Viewers will also hear the voices of Rose Byrne, Post Malone, Pete Davidson, Alanna Ubach (who stars as Bishop), Timothy Olyphant — and for good measure, how about Danny Trejo as a mutant seahorse? Paul Cecchini, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2024 The water was clear, boasting burgeoning reefs and deep dropoffs, sea sponges standing tall like Dr. Seussian skyscrapers as fish, seahorses, and otters coasted on the waves. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024 For example, inside that pouch, the developing seahorses receive calcium and other nutrients to build up their skeletons. Ben Guarino, Popular Science, 13 June 2024 Aside from experiments and science stations, attendees can engage in catch and release fishing, take up kayaking and get an up-close look at local wildlife such as turtles, raptors and seahorses. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of seahorse was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near seahorse

Cite this Entry

“Seahorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seahorse. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sea horse

noun
1
: a mythical animal half horse and half fish
2
: a small fish with bony plates covering its body and a head that looks like a horse's head
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