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
1
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
sealed; sealing; seals
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
also
: authenticate, ratify
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
sea, air, land (team)
Examples of seal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
The researchers looked for — and found — correlations between many seals and proto cuneiform signs.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Nov. 2024
After intercepting a pass in the final minutes to help seal the deal, Bynum instinctively found the camera in the end zone, then busted out a routine he’s been working on for a few weeks.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for seal 
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Noun
The air-tight seal helps save energy and money, but also creates a sound barrier and keeps out bugs, water and dust.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
The researchers looked for — and found — correlations between many seals and proto cuneiform signs.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The secret comes down to the ingredient list, which is comprised of molecules that cling to the surface of the hair and work to seal the cuticle.
—Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Nov. 2024
After intercepting a pass in the final minutes to help seal the deal, Bynum instinctively found the camera in the end zone, then busted out a routine he’s been working on for a few weeks.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for seal
Articles Related to seal
Dictionary Entries Near seal
Cite this Entry
“Seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
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 verb1
: 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
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