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

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

Orcs are not the only silver-screen critters with vocalizations borrowed from the otherworldly repertoire of elephant seal pups. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

Read Next North Carolina Headless dolphin on remote NC island prompts search for culprit, officials say May 14, 2025 2:28 PM Read Next National Baby elephant seal stabbed repeatedly on Oregon beach, feds say. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 May 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