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
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Bring Your…Telephoto Lens Your chance for cool wildlife photography is off the charts on the Lost Coast Trail, from deer grazing the grasslands to black bear and the aforementioned elephant seals.
—
Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Some regions, called fronts, are hot spots for elephant seals to hunt for food.
—Lilian Dove, The Conversation, 25 July 2024
However, in summer, male elephant seals return to shore for their annual molting season, shedding their outer layer of skin and fur.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
As with the southern elephant seals, scientists suggest Adélie penguins were probably responding to changing sea ice conditions.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
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Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Some regions, called fronts, are hot spots for elephant seals to hunt for food.
—Lilian Dove, The Conversation, 25 July 2024
However, in summer, male elephant seals return to shore for their annual molting season, shedding their outer layer of skin and fur.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
As with the southern elephant seals, scientists suggest Adélie penguins were probably responding to changing sea ice conditions.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elephant seal
Cite this Entry
“Elephant seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20seal. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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