harp seal

noun

1. a northern earless seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus, with pale-yellow fur darkening to gray with age, of coasts, drifting ice, and seas of the North Atlantic Ocean, hunted for its fur.

harp seal

noun

1. a brownish-grey earless seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus, of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Word History and Origins

Origin of harp seal¹

First recorded in 1775–85; so called from the harplike shape of markings on the backs of adults

Example Sentences

Diving beneath a white cathedral of ice, I could hear the shrill whistles, honks, and squeaks of harp seals.

From National Geographic

The act protects the harp seal throughout its range, including the North Atlantic and Artic oceans and the waters off New England.

From Seattle Times

The other two were Eloise, another young gray seal, found on the same beach as Tom, and Stewart Little, a 1-year-old male harp seal found in Ocean City.

From Washington Post

Meanwhile, Amelia Bedelia, the harp seal rescued from Ocean City on Feb. 23, is now entering the final stages of rehabilitation.

From Washington Times

They did not study any human remains; instead, they analyzed the bones of dozens of Atlantic cod and harp seals found in ancient garbage pits.

From Science Magazine