elephant seal

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt seel] / ˈɛl ə fənt ˌsil /

noun

1. either of two large earless seals of the genus Mirounga, specifically M. angustirostris northern elephant seal of the Pacific coast of North America and M. leonina southern elephant seal of the Southern Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean, both species noted for a curved proboscis resembling an elephant's trunk: the largest living carnivorans, weighing up to 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms).

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elephant seal British  

noun

1. either of two large earless seals, Mirounga leonina of southern oceans or M. angustirostris of the N Atlantic, the males of which have a long trunklike snout

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Etymology

Origin of elephant seal

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Scientists at the breeding ground on the Valdes Peninsula along Argentina's coast have determined that 97 percent of elephant seal pups died either from being abandoned or contracting bird flu in 2023.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

I stop worrying about the declining health of my mother and other pressing issues when faced with the task of hand-feeding a young elephant seal.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

A female elephant seal splashed after the pup on the beach and called to it but could not reach the pup.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

A recent paper Uhart co-authored showed a large outbreak killed 70% of elephant seal pups born in the 2023 breeding season.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2024

Among zookeepers, Goliath’s death is famous; he was a bull elephant seal, a great big venerable beast of two tons, star of his European zoo, loved by all visitors.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel