sea otter

noun

: a rare marine otter (Enhydra lutris) of the northern Pacific coasts that may attain a length of six feet (two meters), is chiefly brown but with lighter coloration on the back of the head and neck, and feeds largely on shellfish

Examples of sea otter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And because sea urchins eat kelp, the big growth in the urchin population caused a decline in kelp forests along California’s coast, which are key habitats for sea otters, fish and other species. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025

Kayakers get a shot at seeing sea lions, harbor seals, and California sea otters, which, once on the brink of extinction, are now thriving. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The sea otter was spotted by a community member in Homer, rescuers said. —Sara Schilling july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025

The aquarium is home to whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, manta rays, beluga whales, sea otters and African penguins. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sea otter

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

sea otter

noun

: a large marine otter of northern Pacific coasts that feeds mostly on shellfish (as clams, crabs, and sea urchins) and can grow to nearly six feet (two meters) in length