California sea lion
noun
: a small brown sea lion (Zalophus californianus) that occurs especially along the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver Island to Baja California and the Gulf of California and in the Galapagos Islands and that is the seal most often trained to perform in circuses
Examples of California sea lion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Authorities on the Peninsula helped rescue a wayward California sea lion that was found off busy Highway 101 on Friday.
—
Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 May 2026
Chonkers became a viral star at Pier 39 Chonkers first captured widespread attention this spring after videos of the hulking Steller sea lion lounging among much smaller California sea lions at Pier 39 spread across social media.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
There's capybaras named after food, an Asian elephant named after Kirby Drive and California sea lions named for donors.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 May 2026
The males of this species can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh up to 2,500 pounds, as opposed to male California sea lions’ 700 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
On Thursday morning, visitors snapped photos as the Steller sea lion flopped on the pier, surrounded by dozens of much smaller California sea lions that call the docks home.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The 2,000-pound Steller sea lion is significantly larger than California sea lions, which typically weigh no more than 850 pounds and measure 7 feet in length.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers — a Steller sea lion roughly three times the size of the California sea lions that typically gather there — has drawn crowds of tourists, viral TikTok videos and a steady stream of nicknames since washing up at the pier.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
With thicker necks and heavier, more robust bodies, Steller sea lions appear much more powerful — almost bear-like — compared to the slimmer, more streamlined California sea lion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
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Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 May 2026
Chonkers became a viral star at Pier 39 Chonkers first captured widespread attention this spring after videos of the hulking Steller sea lion lounging among much smaller California sea lions at Pier 39 spread across social media.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
There's capybaras named after food, an Asian elephant named after Kirby Drive and California sea lions named for donors.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 May 2026
The males of this species can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh up to 2,500 pounds, as opposed to male California sea lions’ 700 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
On Thursday morning, visitors snapped photos as the Steller sea lion flopped on the pier, surrounded by dozens of much smaller California sea lions that call the docks home.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The 2,000-pound Steller sea lion is significantly larger than California sea lions, which typically weigh no more than 850 pounds and measure 7 feet in length.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers — a Steller sea lion roughly three times the size of the California sea lions that typically gather there — has drawn crowds of tourists, viral TikTok videos and a steady stream of nicknames since washing up at the pier.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
With thicker necks and heavier, more robust bodies, Steller sea lions appear much more powerful — almost bear-like — compared to the slimmer, more streamlined California sea lion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“California sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20sea%20lion. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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