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

Unlike the sea otters in California’s coastal waters, which can weigh up to 70 pounds, river otters tip the scales at a maximum of about 25 pounds, but have very strong jaws and claws, Isadore said. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026

Spot an incredible variety of wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, porpoises, bald eagles and puffins. — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

River otters are not to be confused with sea otters, which live in the ocean, bays and harbors and can grow to be up to five feet and 100 pounds. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

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

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