Definition

1. Noun:
   • A very large seal of the genus Mirounga, characterized by the male's inflatable, trunk-like snout. They are earless seals (true seals) found in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Usage

• The term "elephant seal" is a common name used to refer to two species: the northern elephant seal () and the larger southern elephant seal ().
• It is used as a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The male elephant seal uses its large proboscis to produce loud roars.
  • We observed a colony of elephant seals on the beach.
  • The southern elephant seal is the largest seal species.

Advanced Usage

• "bull elephant seal": Refers specifically to a large, mature male elephant seal.
  • The bull elephant seal defended his territory fiercely.
• "elephant seal rookery": Refers to a breeding colony where elephant seals gather.
  • The island is home to a major elephant seal rookery.

Variants and Related Words

• Mirounga (n): The scientific genus name for elephant seals.
• earless seal (n): The family () to which elephant seals belong, also called "true seals."
• proboscis (n): The technical term for the large, inflatable nose of the male elephant seal.

Synonyms

• Sea elephant: An older, less common synonym for elephant seal.

Related Phrases

• Elephant seal population: Refers to the number of these animals in a specific area.
  • Conservation efforts have helped the northern elephant seal population recover.

Noun

1. either of two large northern Atlantic earless seals having snouts like trunks