seahorse

noun

sea·​horse ˈsē-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce seahorse (audio)
plural seahorses
1
: any of a genus (Hippocampus of the family Syngnathidae) of small bony fishes that have the head angled downward toward the body which is carried vertically and are equipped with a prehensile tail
2
: a mythical creature half horse and half fish
3
: walrus

Illustration of seahorse

Illustration of seahorse
  • seahorse 1

Examples of seahorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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French artist Marcel Loyau designed its four seahorses, which represent the four states that border Lake Michigan. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 From seahorses and sunsets to custom canvases, the goal is to create something meaningful—and maybe learn a bit about local art along the way. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025 Its wings may be missing, but with its body decked out in period Air France livery, with a chrome-effect undercarriage, gleaming white roof, winged seahorse logo and French tricolor flag, the Comet is an eye-catching sight. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of seahorse was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Seahorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seahorse. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sea horse

noun
1
: a mythical animal half horse and half fish
2
: a small fish with bony plates covering its body and a head that looks like a horse's head
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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