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

Point Lobos also hosts a resident population of harbor seals and sea lions, and gets occasional visits from elephant seals. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026

Birds such as albatross and southern giant petrels are often visible soaring through the skies above, while elephant seals permeate the beaches and solitary leopard seals feed in the surrounding waters. —Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

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

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

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