leopard seal

noun

: a spotted slate gray seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) especially of antarctic and subantarctic waters that feeds chiefly on krill, other seals, penguins, and fish

Examples of leopard seal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Though leopard seals are widespread and abundant, overfishing, retreating sea ice and warming waters mean that krill and penguins, their main food sources, are both in decline. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Under the Waterline by Matthew Smith This intimate image represents the first time that photographer Matthew Smith has ever encountered a leopard seal. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024 Matthew Smith carefully photographed a curious leopard seal beneath the Antarctic ice in Paradise Harbour, Antarctica. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 The leopard seal, sometimes referred to as a sea leopard, is the second-largest species of seal in the Antarctic, behind the southern elephant seal. Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leopard seal 

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leopard seal was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near leopard seal

Cite this Entry

“Leopard seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leopard%20seal. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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