pinniped

[ pin-uh-ped ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivores with limbs adapted to an aquatic life, including the seals and walruses.

noun

1. a pinniped animal.

pinniped

/ ˌpɪnɪˈpiːdɪən; ˈpɪnɪˌpɛd /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Pinnipedia, an order of aquatic placental mammals having a streamlined body and limbs specialized as flippers: includes seals, sea lions, and the walrus

noun

1. any pinniped animal

pinniped

/ pĭn′ə-pĕd′ /

1. Any of various carnivorous, aquatic mammals of the group Pinnipedia, which some believe is a suborder of the Carnivora but others consider a separate mammalian order. Pinnipeds have long, smooth bodies and finlike flippers for swimming. Seals and walruses are pinnipeds.

Other Words From

• pin·ni·pe·di·an [pin-, uh, -, pee, -dee-, uh, n], adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinniped¹

From the New Latin word Pinnipedia, dating back to 1835–45. See pinna, -i-, -ped, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinniped¹

C19: from New Latin pinnipēs, from Latin pinna feather, fin + pēs foot

Example Sentences

Later that year, the pinnipeds, especially younger, smaller ones, struggled.

From Los Angeles Times

A huge school of anchovies — a favored food of the pinnipeds — brought them there, Chandor said.

From Seattle Times

It’s possible the creatures were giant squids, or pinnipeds, like seals or sea lions.

From National Geographic

Climate change is not the only threat that is afflicting seals and other pinnipeds, the group of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes seals and sea lions.

From Salon

“Many of them are coming to the islands this time of year looking for some pinnipeds to turn into a potential meal,” Pierson said.

From Los Angeles Times