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

Former beaver hunters crossed into California, saw the ocean, often for the first time in their lives, and almost immediately began killing sea otters. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026

In addition to sea lions, sea otters, walrus, polar bears, dugongs and manatees are also safeguarded. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Over a century earlier sea otters, another key urchin predator, were extirpated by the fur trade, leaving the system precariously reliant on sea stars alone. — Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026

Keep an eye out for puffins, sea otters, and humpback whales. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026

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