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

Stellar sea lion pups are born from mid-May to mid-July and usually weigh 35 to 50 pounds, according to the center.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

A few years back, a sea lion jumped into a South End rowboat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Chonkers isn’t the first sea lion to capture the heart of San Francisco.

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