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Glite Dictionary
Steller's sea lion

Steller's sea lion

1 6.2
A very large sea lion that lives in the northern Pacific Ocean
  • noun
  • /ˈstɛlərz siː laɪən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : león marino de Steller
  • Young Steller's sea lions are often seen playing in the shallow waters during summer.

Examples

  • The Steller's sea lion is listed as a near-threatened species due to declining population numbers.

  • The Steller's sea lion is known for its impressive size.

  • Scientists observed a group of Steller's sea lions basking on the rocky shore.

  • Many Steller's sea lions can be seen along the coast of California.

  • The researchers observed a group of Steller's sea lions basking on the rocks along the northern Pacific coast.

  • While on a boat tour, we were thrilled to see a Steller's sea lion swimming close to our vessel.

  • At the aquarium, the children were excited to learn about the feeding habits of Steller's sea lions.

Synonyms

Eumetopias jubatus
vsSteller's sea lion
  • Specialized
9.9

A large sea lion that lives in the northern Pacific, also called the Steller sea lion

is the common name for the same species rather than the Latin name
Steller sea lion
vsSteller's sea lion
  • Specialized
5.6

A very large sea mammal that lives in the northern Pacific and is larger than other sea lions

describes it as very large without stating it is the single largest

Surface Forms

Steller's sea lion singular
Steller's sea lions plural

Morphology

Steller's + sea + lion

The phrase is compositionally interpretable: 'sea' + 'lion' clearly yields the animal 'sea lion', and the possessive 'Steller's' signals a particular variety or species named after a person. A B1 learner who knows the constituents will therefore understand this refers to a specific type of sea lion (even if they do not know the eponymous background or precise size/range).

Etymology

Steller's sea lion is 'named after' the explorer Georg Steller, who first described the animal on a sea trip in the 1700s. So Steller's shows the person who found and wrote about it, and the name now means this large type of sea lion.