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

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

“Chonkers the stellar sea lion is back at Pier 39 today!” reads one post.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

He was a regular at the former sea lion hangout just south of the Golden Gate known as Seal Rocks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

It brought major disruption to marine ecosystems: mass die-offs of seabirds, fishery disasters, kelp degradation, whale entanglements, sea lion starvation, fish migration and harmful algal blooms, Amaya said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The wind passed, the tail of a storm roaring out to sea, and Nim was snug in her sea lion shelter, breathing the warm smell of fur.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr