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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair seal was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near hair seal

Cite this Entry

“Hair seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20seal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hair seal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!