any seal of the family Phocidae, comprising seals that lack external ears and that use the hind flippers for swimming: land locomotion is accomplished by wriggling and by propelling with the front flippers.
any seal of the pinniped family Phocidae, typically having rudimentary hind limbs, no external earflaps, and a body covering of hair with no underfurAlso called: hair seal Compare eared seal
