seal

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsēl 

plural seals also seal

1

: any of numerous carnivorous marine mammals (families Phocidae and Otariidae) that live chiefly in cold regions and have limbs modified into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming

especially : a fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion

2

a

: the pelt of a fur seal

b

: leather made from the skin of a seal

3

: a dark brown

seal

2 of 5

verb (1)

sealed; sealing; seals

intransitive verb

: to hunt seals

seal

3 of 5

noun (2)

1

a

: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure : guarantee, assurance

b(1)

: a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document

(2)

: a medallion or ring face bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed on wax or moist clay

also : a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression

c

: an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision

d

: a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package

especially : one given in a fund-raising campaign

2

a

: something that secures (such as a wax seal on a document)

b

: a closure that must be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering

c(1)

: a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water)

(2)

: a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container

3

: a seal that is a symbol or mark of office

seal

4 of 5

verb (2)

sealed; sealing; seals

transitive verb

1

a

: to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal

seal the deal

b

: to solemnize (something, such as a marriage) for eternity by a Mormon rite

2

a

: to set or affix an authenticating seal to

also : authenticate, ratify

b

: to mark with a stamp or seal usually as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality

3

a

: to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering

b

: to close or make secure against access, leakage, or passage by a fastening or coating

c

: to fix in position or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster)

4

: to determine irrevocably or indisputably

that answer sealed our fate

SEAL

5 of 5

abbreviation

ˈsēl 

sea, air, land (team)

Phrases

under seal

: with an authenticating seal affixed

Examples of seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unwrap the plastic seal and don’t be alarmed that the cheese has developed a skin—it’ll all come out in the radioactive glow of the microwave. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2024

Enrollment seal changes The enrollment seal, which is geared more toward students wanting to go to college after high school, requires students to earn specific amounts of credits toward world language, social studies, math and science. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

While officials caution that a deal is neither sealed nor guaranteed, the upbeat language and recent diplomatic activity point to significant momentum toward reaching a deal. —Abeer Salman, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

With 20 seconds left, Conard had the ball, but Maddy stole the ball, then hit two free throws to seal the win. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sele, from Old English seolh; akin to Old High German selah seal

Noun (2)

Middle English sele, seel, from Anglo-French seal, sel, from Latin sigillum seal, from diminutive of signum sign, seal — more at sign

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing seal

• bearded seal
• close/seal the deal
• crabeater seal
• cylinder seal
• eared seal
• elephant seal
• false Solomon's seal
• fur seal
• great seal
• hair seal
• harbor seal
• harp seal
• leopard seal
• monk seal
• northern fur seal
• seal in
• seal of approval
• seal off
• seal point
• seal ring
• seal someone's fate
• set the seal on
• Solomon's seal
• southern fur seal
• true seal
• under seal
• Weddell seal

Kids Definition

seal

1 of 4 noun

ˈsē(ə)l 

plural seals also seal

1

: any of numerous marine mammals that live mostly in cold regions, feed especially on fish, mate and give birth to young on land, and use short webbed flippers to swim and dive

2

a

: the soft dense fur of a seal

b

: leather made from the skin of a seal

seal

2 of 4 verb

: to hunt seals

seal

3 of 4 noun

1

a

: something (as a pledge) that makes safe or secure

under seal of secrecy

b

: a device with a cut or raised design or figure that can be pressed or stamped into paper or wax to form a mark (as for certifying a signature)

c

: a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package

Christmas seals

2

a

: something that is attached to a closed container and has to be broken in order to open the container

b

: a tight and perfect closing

test the seal of the jars

seal

4 of 4 verb

1

: to mark with a seal

seal a deed

2

: to close with or as if with a seal

the sheriff sealed the area

ice sealed the ships into the harbor

3

: to decide finally

Etymology

Noun

Old English seolh "seal (marine animal)"

Noun

Middle English sele, seel "pledge, guarantee," from early French seal, sel (same meaning), from Latin sigillum "seal," literally, "small sign, small image," from signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign entry 1

Medical Definition

seal

transitive verb

ˈsēl 

: to apply dental sealant to

the teeth to be sealed are surrounded by cotton rolls and dried thoroughly

—J. W. Friedman

Legal Definition

seal

1 of 2 noun

: a device (as an emblem, symbol, or word) used to identify or replace a signature and to authenticate (as at common law) written matter see also contract under seal at contract

seal

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to authenticate or approve by or as if by a seal

2

: to close off (as records) from public access

Etymology

Noun

Old French seel, from Latin sigillum, from diminutive of signum mark, sign