Definition

1. Noun:

   • A marine mammal: A carnivorous mammal with flippers that lives partly in the sea and partly on land, especially in cold regions.
   • A device or substance used for fastening or closing: An object or material that closes an opening or container tightly to prevent air or liquid from entering or escaping.
   • An official mark or stamp: A design, emblem, or piece of wax, lead, or paper attached to a document to prove its authenticity or to close it securely.
   • A confirmation or guarantee: Something that serves as a final confirmation or makes something definite.

2. Verb:

   • To close or fasten securely: To make something airtight or watertight by applying a substance or device.
   • To affix an official mark: To stamp or mark a document with an official seal to authenticate or finalize it.
   • To decide irrevocably: To settle something conclusively.
   • To hunt for seals: To pursue and kill seals, typically for their fur or oil.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We saw a seal basking on the rocky shore. (We observed a marine mammal resting on the shore.)
  • Check the seal on the jar to make sure it's airtight. (Inspect the closure on the jar.)
  • The document bore the royal seal. (The document had the king's official stamp.)

• Verb:

  • Please seal the envelope before mailing it. (Please close the envelope securely.)
  • The treaty was signed and sealed by both nations. (The treaty was authenticated with an official mark.)
  • The jury's verdict sealed his fate. (The jury's decision settled his future irrevocably.)

Advanced Usage

• "to set the seal on something": to make something complete or final; to be the final confirming factor.

  • Winning the championship set the seal on her brilliant career. (Winning the championship was the final achievement confirming her great career.)

• "my lips are sealed": a phrase meaning one will not reveal a secret.

  • Don't worry, your secret is safe with me—my lips are sealed. (I promise not to tell anyone.)

• "seal of approval": an official sign that something is good enough or meets a standard.

  • The product has the government's seal of approval. (The product is officially certified as good.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sealant (n): a substance used for sealing something to make it airtight or watertight.
  • They applied a sealant to the wooden deck.
• Sealer (n): a person or thing that seals; a protective coating.
  • Apply a coat of sealer to protect the surface.
• Sealskin (n): the skin or pelt of a seal, used for making garments.
  • A coat made of sealskin is very warm.

Synonyms

• Noun (marine mammal): pinniped.
• Noun (fastener): closure, cap, lid.
• Noun (stamp): emblem, insignia, imprint.
• Verb (close): shut, fasten, secure.
• Verb (finalize): conclude, settle, clinch.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Seal in: to prevent something (like flavor or moisture) from escaping by closing something tightly.
  • The packaging is designed to seal in freshness. (The packaging keeps the product fresh.)
• Seal off: to prevent entry to or exit from an area by closing it.
  • The police sealed off the crime scene. (The police blocked access to the area.)
• Seal up: to close something completely.
  • We need to seal up these boxes for storage. (We need to close these boxes tightly.)

Related Idioms

• A sealed book: something that is impossible to understand or know about.
  • Quantum physics is a sealed book to me. (I cannot understand quantum physics.)
• Signed, sealed, and delivered: completely finished and officially taken care of.
  • The contract is signed, sealed, and delivered. (The contract is fully executed and finalized.)

Noun

1. any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
2. fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
3. a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
4. an indication of approved or superior status
5. a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it)
   • the warrant bore the sheriff's seal
6. a member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare
   • SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land
7. the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal
   • a coat of seal
8. a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
9. fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters

Verb

1. hunt seals
2. cover with varnish
3. affix a seal to
   • seal the letter
4. decide irrevocably
   • sealing dooms
5. close with or as if with a seal
   • She sealed the letter with hot wax
6. make tight; secure against leakage
   • seal the windows