elephant seal
noun
: either of two very large seals (genus Mirounga of the family Phocidae) characterized by a long inflatable proboscis:
a
: one (M. angustirostris) found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska to Baja California
b
: one (M. leonina) found in coastal waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Piedras Blancas Light Station and the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, as well as the area’s crown jewel, Hearst Castle. 
Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2022 The elephant seal inched toward the water and soon slipped into the Pacific. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 For now, biologists must content themselves with the short snippets of film shot by the northern elephant seal. Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The first time a northern elephant seal was known to be born here was only about 50 years ago. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2022 The elephant seal inched toward the water and soon slipped into the Pacific. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 For now, biologists must content themselves with the short snippets of film shot by the northern elephant seal. Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that’s easily accessible, free, and open to the public every day. David K. Li, NBC News, 12 May 2022 The first time a northern elephant seal was known to be born here was only about 50 years ago. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined above