sea serpent

American  

noun

1. an enormous, imaginary, snakelike or dragonlike marine animal.

2. Astronomy. Sea Serpent, the constellation Hydra.

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sea serpent British  

noun

1. a huge legendary creature of the sea resembling a snake or dragon

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Etymology

Origin of sea serpent

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

We went from playing Super Smash Bros. and ordering pizza to meeting my dead grandmother, being chased by a River God, fighting trolls, coming face-to-face with Bulgu, destroying a building, and slaying a sea serpent.

From Literature

A silvery 10-foot-long creature, the oarfish has fueled fisherman’s tales of sea serpents — and in some cultures has been a portent of natural disasters.

From Los Angeles Times

“It definitely looks fanciful; it evokes the sea serpent mythology.”

From Los Angeles Times

Near the coast of Norway, Magnus depicts a bright-red sea serpent attacking a ship that tilts as though it’s being taken under.

From National Geographic

In Norse mythology, a monstrous sea serpent wrapped itself around the world’s waters.

From New York Times