sea lion

American  

noun

sea lions plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sea lions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sea lion

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

The finals day of the World Surf League's New Zealand Pro event was paused after a photographer was attacked in the water by a sea creature that organisers believe was a shark or sea lion.

From BBC • May 25, 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

Plus, an energy crisis is spreading across the world, Thom Tillis supports Kevin Warsh’s confirmation, and San Francisco is in love with Chonkers the sea lion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 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

Even when the king of the sea lions barked at her to come and fish or snuggle down at night with her sea lion family, Selkie stayed close to Nim.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr