elephant seal

noun

: either of two very large seals (genus Mirounga of the family Phocidae) characterized by a long inflatable proboscis:

a

: one (M. angustirostris) found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska to Baja California

b

: one (M. leonina) found in coastal waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia

Examples of elephant seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers emphasize that the full scope of the outbreak among elephant seals may be far greater than current numbers suggest. —Brian Hackney, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

For even more dramatic views, take your pick from the trails in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, and make the 10-minute drive to the Piedras Blancas rookery to say hello to the region’s resident elephant seals. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

According to the park, the video appears to show the woman throwing a rock that hits the elephant seal, and the man throwing rocks toward the seal. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025

Earlier this month, two people were seen on a livestream throwing rocks at an elephant seal resting on the beach at the Point Reyes National Seashore. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for elephant seal

• automobile
• periosteal
• peritoneal
• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal