California sea lion

noun

: a small brown sea lion (Zalophus californianus) that occurs especially along the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver Island to Baja California and the Gulf of California and in the Galapagos Islands and that is the seal most often trained to perform in circuses

Examples of California sea lion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There's capybaras named after food, an Asian elephant named after Kirby Drive and California sea lions named for donors. — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 May 2026 Steller sea lions are significantly larger than California sea lions. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026 On Thursday morning, visitors snapped photos as the Steller sea lion flopped on the pier, surrounded by dozens of much smaller California sea lions that call the docks home. — ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 Currently, there are 23 California sea lions, 20 northern elephant seals, and two Pacific harbor seals in care. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for California sea lion

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California sea lion was in 1859

Rhymes for California sea lion

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Browse Nearby Words

California scrub oak
California sea lion
California sea trout
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Cite this Entry

“California sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20sea%20lion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on California sea lion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about California sea lion

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