harbor seal

noun

: a small hair seal (Phoca vitulina) of oceanic coasts in the northern hemisphere that often ascends rivers

Examples of harbor seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The third type would highlight local wildlife beyond the harbor seals and sea lions that come on land in the area, including the creatures of local tidepools and the plants that line the coast. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 The Seattle Aquarium is mourning the loss of Barney, the first harbor seal born at the aquarium, after he was euthanized on Friday at age 39. Axios Seattle, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025 More than 40 students were trained to answer questions about seal reproduction and behaviors, take counts of harbor seal adults and newborns and even view a live birth. Carol Archibald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 Marilyn Heiman, who at the time worked for the Alaska State Legislature, told USA TODAY in 2014 that the spill was responsible for the deaths of 250,000 seabirds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles and billions of salmon and herring eggs. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harbor seal

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harbor seal was in 1766

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Cite this Entry

“Harbor seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harbor%20seal. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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