monk seal

noun

: any of two genera (Monachus and Neomonachus) of hair seals of Hawaii, the Mediterranean Sea, and formerly the Caribbean Sea

Examples of monk seal 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.
Hawaiian Monk Seals The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026 Earlier this month, a witness recorded what prosecutors say was a video of him throwing the rock at a Hawaiian monk seal at a Maui beach. — CBS News, 27 May 2026 Earlier this month, a witness recorded what prosecutors say was a video of him throwing the rock at a Hawaiian monk seal at a Maui beach. — ABC News, 26 May 2026 In the video, the suspect allegedly appears to throw a rock at the head of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal as the animal was swimming near the shoreline in Maui. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for monk seal

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monk seal was in 1841

Rhymes for monk seal

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Browse Nearby Words

monk saki
monk seal
monkship
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Cite this Entry

“Monk seal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monk%20seal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monk seal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monk seal

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