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

During that time, leptospirosis nearly disappeared among the sea lion population, Rulli said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

“They want to talk about sea lion predation on salmon.”

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2025

Of bringing his three now-grown daughters when they were children, laughing as they peeked through the sea lion viewing holes and barked like the blubbery creatures.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2025

Ronan the sea lion can dance to a lot of different songs, but there is something about “Boogie Wonderland,” by Earth, Wind and Fire that really gets her going.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

If you blended together a kid, a Doberman pinscher, and a sea lion, you’d get something like what I was looking at.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan