seal

1 of 5

noun (1)

plural seals also seal
1
: any of numerous carnivorous marine mammals (families Phocidae and Otariidae) that live chiefly in cold regions and have limbs modified into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming
especially : a fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion
2
a
: the pelt of a fur seal
b
: leather made from the skin of a seal
3
: a dark brown

seal

2 of 5

verb (1)

sealed; sealing; seals

seal

3 of 5

noun (2)

1
a
: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure : guarantee, assurance
b(1)
: a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document
(2)
: a medallion or ring face bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed on wax or moist clay
also : a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression
c
: an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision
d
: a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package
especially : one given in a fund-raising campaign
2
a
: something that secures (such as a wax seal on a document)
b
: a closure that must be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering
c(1)
: a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water)
(2)
: a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container
3
: a seal that is a symbol or mark of office

seal

4 of 5

verb (2)

sealed; sealing; seals

transitive verb

1
a
: to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal
seal the deal
b
: to solemnize (something, such as a marriage) for eternity by a Mormon rite
2
a
: to set or affix an authenticating seal to
b
: to mark with a stamp or seal usually as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality
3
a
: to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering
b
: to close or make secure against access, leakage, or passage by a fastening or coating
c
: to fix in position or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster)
4
: to determine irrevocably or indisputably
that answer sealed our fate

SEAL

5 of 5

abbreviation

sea, air, land (team)
Phrases
under seal
: with an authenticating seal affixed

Examples of seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Unlike regular packing cubes, these feature an extra zippered compartment that functions like a vacuum seal to suck out air. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 There’s also a midnight color that features an anodization seal that’s supposed to reduce fingerprints, which should come as a welcome change to the previous midnight option that’s prone to getting covered in fingerprints. Emma Roth, The Verge, 4 Mar. 2024 Read Next California Elephant seals are leaving California beaches. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 The lawsuit filed in New York federal court on Tuesday under seal names The Walt Disney Co., Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery and seeks to block the joint venture. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Most encounters occur at the edge of the ice, where the seals like to stay in search of prey. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Food and Drug Administration While the FDA has not yet released the details of what its final logo will look like, earlier drafts studied by the agency look not unlike the U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic foods seal or the Whole Grains Council's stamp that already appears on many foods. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2024 Williams' temporary guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, filed a lawsuit under seal against the network in New York County Supreme Court Thursday, USA TODAY has confirmed. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 However, the suit alleges, if the tumbler is damaged or worn, the seal can break and potentially expose the user to lead. Rob Wile, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
An arrest warrant for a third suspect has been issued but is sealed, said Brionna Boatright, a spokeswoman for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair’s friendship is sealed with a kiss. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 For the piercing and tattoo shop, that changeover started last September with checking the building's insulation and air sealing to determine what size heat pumps were needed. Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 The partnership was sealed late last year with the opening of Kendra Scott shop-in-shops in 153 Target stores and online. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Beating the Celtics would suggest that maybe the Denver debacle had more to do with Curry, Thompson and Green all having poor games at the same time — which would seal the Warriors’ doom regardless of the opponent. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024 The leak is located in the Russian segment of the station and has been isolated by closing a hatch to the area, sealing it off from the rest of the football-field-sized station. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Russia first reported a leak in the Zvezda module in August 2020 and tried to seal it temporarily. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Additionally, Holmes recommended avoiding any drops or lubricants that smell off, have particles inside, aren’t sealed, or are past their expiration date. Korin Miller, Health, 29 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sele, from Old English seolh; akin to Old High German selah seal

Noun (2)

Middle English sele, seel, from Anglo-French seal, sel, from Latin sigillum seal, from diminutive of signum sign, seal — more at sign

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seal was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near seal

Cite this Entry

“Seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seal

1 of 4 noun
plural seals also seal
1
: any of numerous marine mammals that live mostly in cold regions, feed especially on fish, mate and give birth to young on land, and use short webbed flippers to swim and dive
2
a
: the soft dense fur of a seal
b
: leather made from the skin of a seal

seal

2 of 4 verb
: to hunt seals

seal

3 of 4 noun
1
a
: something (as a pledge) that makes safe or secure
under seal of secrecy
b
: a device with a cut or raised design or figure that can be pressed or stamped into paper or wax to form a mark (as for certifying a signature)
c
: a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package
Christmas seals
2
a
: something that is attached to a closed container and has to be broken in order to open the container
b
: a tight and perfect closing
test the seal of the jars

seal

4 of 4 verb
1
: to mark with a seal
seal a deed
2
: to close with or as if with a seal
the sheriff sealed the area
ice sealed the ships into the harbor
3
: to decide finally
Etymology

Noun

Old English seolh "seal (marine animal)"

Noun

Middle English sele, seel "pledge, guarantee," from early French seal, sel (same meaning), from Latin sigillum "seal," literally, "small sign, small image," from signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign entry 1

Medical Definition

seal

transitive verb
: to apply dental sealant to
the teeth to be sealed are surrounded by cotton rolls and dried thoroughlyJ. W. Friedman

Legal Definition

seal

1 of 2 noun
: a device (as an emblem, symbol, or word) used to identify or replace a signature and to authenticate (as at common law) written matter see also contract under seal at contract

seal

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to authenticate or approve by or as if by a seal
2
: to close off (as records) from public access
Etymology

Noun

Old French seel, from Latin sigillum, from diminutive of signum mark, sign

More from Merriam-Webster on seal

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