harp seal
noun
: a dark-faced seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) of the North Atlantic that is a variable light gray with the male usually having a dark crescent on its back and sides
Examples of harp seal in a Sentence
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It’s known for harbor and harp seals, as well as a famed run of Atlantic salmon that occurs in summer and fall.
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Because the locals hunt for sustenance, species like harp seals, beluga whales, and the elusive narwhals have learned to avoid humans, which explains the less frequent sightings in comparison to the south pole where penguins, orcas, and leopard seals exist without this threat.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Global warming pushes Arctic seals closer to extinction The IUCN update shows that the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) has declined from vulnerable to endangered, and the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) have moved from least-concern to near-threatened.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
As a result, the hooded seal is listed as endangered, and the bearded seal and harp seal are near-threatened.
—Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Because the locals hunt for sustenance, species like harp seals, beluga whales, and the elusive narwhals have learned to avoid humans, which explains the less frequent sightings in comparison to the south pole where penguins, orcas, and leopard seals exist without this threat.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Global warming pushes Arctic seals closer to extinction The IUCN update shows that the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) has declined from vulnerable to endangered, and the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) have moved from least-concern to near-threatened.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
As a result, the hooded seal is listed as endangered, and the bearded seal and harp seal are near-threatened.
—Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harp seal
Cite this Entry
“Harp seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harp%20seal. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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