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

The lens includes internal seals to prevent dust and moisture ingress, along with an anti-smudge fluorine coating on its front element. —PCMAG, 16 May 2024

This deeply unnerving French creature feature has the Stephen King seal of horror approval. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Place a few pieces of chicken in bag; seal bag, and shake and until well coated. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024

Pinch the three longest strips together at one end to seal; braid. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 May 2024

Deputies administered first aid at the scene, including applying tourniquets and a chest seal, until medics arrived, sheriff’s officials said. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024

According to a report from the Marine Mammal Center released last month, 30 percent of the sea lions, seals and otters taken into the California facility in 2023 were victims of harassment by humans or dogs. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2024

Aircraft safety is a hot topic these days, with Federal Aviation Administration investigators looking into door seals at Boeing, aircraft slides flying off mid air and engine failures plaguing several planes in recent months. —Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 May 2024

Of course, to ensure the crew’s safety during extravehicular activities, the suit also has added seals and pressure valves. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 May 2024

Verb

Stretch it across four days and 72 holes, where a single misfire or instant of drifting focus can seal fates. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2024

What sealed the deal was the approval of none other than Billie Eilish. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024

Prosecutors, who need Cohen's testimony to seal the case, also have more questions for him. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 May 2024

The unprecedented award to an American artist who, a decade earlier, portended the controversial Pop Art genre cresting sealed a slow but steady shift underway since the end of World War II: New York officially bumped Paris from the top slot of cultural taste makers. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024

The list of witnesses and exhibits at the two hearings also was ordered sealed. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2024

The results were displayed on two boards on opposites of the front podium and the actual envelopes featuring the team’s logos got stuffed and sealed like greeting cards, only to be held by the chief of NBA security and a member of the firm overseeing the drawings integrity for nearly an hour. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2024

Ensure that doors, windows and other entry points are properly sealed to prevent palo verde beetles from getting indoors. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024

Then, seal with a lid and let stand at room temperature for at least 12 hours, although 24 hours is better. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 May 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