sea lion

noun

: any of several Pacific eared seals (such as genera Eumetopias and Zalophus) that are usually larger than the related fur seals and lack a thick underfur

Examples of sea lion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And that kind of thing didn’t happen in Mystic, a touristy escape from New York City complete with bobbing boats and sea lions doing tricks at the aquarium. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Firepits flanked by living walls create a lovely space to relax and enjoy coastal breezes with the chatter of sea lions in the distance. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026 The rocky coastline near Lovers Point attracts sea lions, while seals frequent the waters offshore. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 Studies have linked El Niño and its cooler water counterpart – La Niña – to starving sea lions in Peru, changes in sea turtle behaviors in the Caribbean and fisheries successes in the Amazon and Congo rivers. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sea lion

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea lion was in 1697

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20lion. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

sea lion

noun
: any of several large Pacific seals that have small ears on the outside of the body

More from Merriam-Webster on sea lion

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster