sea lion

American

noun

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.
Heraldry. a monster having the forepart of a lion, webbed forepaws, and the dorsal fin and tail of a fish.

sea lion British

noun

any of various large eared seals, such as Zalophus californianus ( Californian sea lion ), of the N Pacific, often used as a performing animal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sea lion

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then she whistled her shell, two long, shrill notes that carried far out to the reef, where the sea lions were fishing.

From Literature

The same strain now affecting Antarctic skuas previously caused massive losses among elephant seals and sea lions in Argentina.

From Science Daily

Their prey included larger species such as California sea lions, northern elephant seals, gray whale calves and Pacific white-sided dolphins, and they typically hunted in groups averaging nine individuals.

From Science Daily

The analysis used autopsy data from seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and dolphins, collected worldwide.

From BBC

Under California’s Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal to harm sea lions or collect any of their parts while dead or alive.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023