sea serpent

noun

: a large marine animal resembling a serpent often reported to have been seen but never proved to exist

Examples of sea serpent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More than 40 books were published, but the first 10 are superior, with plots involving a sea serpent at a summer resort, a haunted mansion, and a trip to India. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news According to the tales of Norse mythology, a sea serpent surrounds the world, circling its waters in a continuous cycle, by biting onto its own tail. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 In a similar narrative of rebirth and revival, the name of this sea serpent, Jörmungandr, has recently taken on a new meaning. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 There were sea monks and mermaids and mermen, not to mention the many species of sea serpents. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023 Or the reptilian sea serpents that fishermen swear have menacingly popped up from the surface of the water, or the Sirens of Greek mythology who lured sailors to their deaths with their soothing, seductive songs. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2023 Although many aspects of the series’ effects work hold up regardless of the venue — the attack of a sea serpent in the second episode was a highlight for me — other pieces feel overlit and flat. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 Also the big metal sea serpent. Christopher Reynoldsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2023 Sixty years after Linneaus’s binomials had become scientific fact, for example, Massachusetts went wild over rumors of a hideous and huge sea serpent undulating in the bay at Gloucester, the locals apparently only more titillated now that such creatures weren’t supposed to exist. Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, 7 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea serpent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea serpent was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near sea serpent

Cite this Entry

“Sea serpent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20serpent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sea serpent

noun
: a large marine animal resembling a snake often reported to have been seen but never proved to be real

More from Merriam-Webster on sea serpent

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