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

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Etymology

Origin of sea lion

First recorded in 1595–1605

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sea lion

"The research is particularly important for the endangered Australian sea lion, which has an estimated population of only about 12,000 animals and relies on hearing for communication, finding food, navigation and detecting threats," Erbe said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

He noted the peninsula had once been home to animals such as pronghorn, sea otter, North American porcupine, Humboldt marten, gray wolf, American black bear, grizzlies, northern fur seal and Steller sea lion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

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

From her perch she watched young sea lion cubs and their mothers tumbling on the beach.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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