pinniped

American  

[pin-uh-ped] / ˈpɪn əˌpɛd /

adjective

1. belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivores with limbs adapted to an aquatic life, including the seals and walruses.

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noun

1. a pinniped animal.

pinniped British  

/ ˌpɪnɪˈpiːdɪən, ˈpɪnɪˌpɛd /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Pinnipedia, an order of aquatic placental mammals having a streamlined body and limbs specialized as flippers: includes seals, sea lions, and the walrus

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noun

1. any pinniped animal

pinniped Scientific  

/ pĭn′ə-pĕd′ /

1. Any of various carnivorous, aquatic mammals of the group Pinnipedia, which some believe is a suborder of the Carnivora but others consider a separate mammalian order. Pinnipeds have long, smooth bodies and finlike flippers for swimming. Seals and walruses are pinnipeds.

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Other Word Forms

• pinnipedian adjective

Etymology

Origin of pinniped

From the New Latin word Pinnipedia, dating back to 1835–45. See pinna, -i-, -ped, -ia

Example Sentences

That section once held a restaurant, a public restroom building, and several sea lion viewing holes — openings in the decking used to watch the pinnipeds lolling on the crossbeams below.

From Los Angeles Times

And by the looks of it, the pinnipeds won’t be leaving anytime soon.

From Los Angeles Times

Later that year, the pinnipeds, especially younger, smaller ones, struggled.

From Los Angeles Times

A huge school of anchovies — a favored food of the pinnipeds — brought them there, Chandor said.

From Seattle Times

It’s possible the creatures were giant squids, or pinnipeds, like seals or sea lions.

From National Geographic