pinniped

noun

pin·​ni·​ped ˈpi-nə-ˌped 

: any of an order or suborder (Pinnipedia) of aquatic carnivorous mammals (such as a seal or walrus) with all four limbs modified into flippers

pinniped adjective

Examples of pinniped in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While some pinnipeds have been successfully treated and released, domoic acid poisoning is almost always fatal for dolphins. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025

Marine mammals such as whales, pinnipeds such as sea lions and pelicans are among the species that have been impacted by the toxin this year. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025

The study revealed the fur didn’t belong to boars or deer, but rather pinnipeds, or seals and walruses. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025

The rescue team was called by Carlsbad police around 10 p.m. after the pinniped was spotted in the bike lane of Carlsbad Boulevard north of Island Way, near the Pelican Point beach campground, officials said. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin pinna + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pinniped

noun

pin·​ni·​ped ˈpi-nə-ˌped 

: any of a group of mammals (as seals, sea lions, and walruses) that typically live in oceans but bear their young on land or on floating sheets of ice, have front and hind flippers, and eat other animals (as fish)