sea lion

American  

noun

1. any of several large eared seals, as Eumetopias jubatus Steller's sea lion, of the northern Pacific Ocean, and Zalophus californicus California sea lion, of the Pacific coast of North America.

2. Heraldry. a monster having the forepart of a lion, webbed forepaws, and the dorsal fin and tail of a fish.

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sea lion British  

noun

1. any of various large eared seals, such as Zalophus californianus ( Californian sea lion ), of the N Pacific, often used as a performing animal

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Etymology

Origin of sea lion

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

A particularly massive sea lion has Bay Area tourists and residents flocking to Pier 39 in San Francisco to spot the mammal affectionately named “Chonkers.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

“Chonkers” is a Steller sea lion, which is a heftier variety of the species, compared to his California sea lion counterparts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

“When you see a sea lion, it’s ‘Oh no, we don’t want them anywhere near us,’” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

He is a 2,000-pound Steller sea lion who swam up to a dock on Pier 39 a month ago and has decided to stay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Sometimes for a whole day they talked in sea lion grunts or frigate bird squawks or plankton wiggles.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr