harbor seal
1
3.9
- noun
- /ˈhɑrbər siːl/
- US
:
foca común
- The California harbor seal population has been steadily increasing, and its distribution has expanded since the 1960s.
- harbor seals consume
- harbor seal stocks
- harbor seal population
Examples
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Monomoy supports the single largest concentration of harbor seals in eastern U.S. waters.
Academic text (2000) -
Well, tonight, while I was swimming, a harbor seal followed me.
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With the Washington and Oregon harbor seal stocks increasing, impacts on prey and prey availability may arise.
Academic text (2000) -
Herring is an important forage fish for many of the pinnipeds discussed here, particularly for harbor seals in the northwest.
Academic text (2000) -
Four pinniped species occur in New England: harbor seals, gray seals, harp seals, and occasionally, hooded seals.
Academic text (2000) -
The highest counts of harbor seals in the Columbia River frequently coincide with winter spawning of eulachon (Bargmann, 1998).
Academic text (2000) -
While kayaking near the shore, we spotted a harbor seal resting on a rock.
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In the coastal waters of Maine, you can often see harbor seals sunbathing on the beaches.
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The harbor seal is known for its playful nature, often seen swimming alongside boats.
Synonyms
A small spotted seal that lives along coasts in the Northern Hemisphere and is called the harbor seal
A small, spotted sea animal that lives on cold northern coasts
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'harbor' (a sheltered coastal area) + 'seal' (a marine mammal), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a seal associated with harbors or coastal waters. This noun-compound is a straightforward, compositional pattern common across languages, making it immediately understandable to B1 learners without prior exposure.
Etymology
Harbor seal gets its name from the places these small, spotted seals like to live: quiet harbors and safe bays near the shore. People often saw them resting on rocks or sand close to boats, so the name simply means 'a seal that lives near harbors'.