# seal

/ˈsiɫ/ (US) · /sˈiːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. sea animal

noun · CEFR A2

a large sea animal that eats fish and lives around cold coasts.

For teachers: any of various carnivorous marine mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia, typically having a sleek body and limbs modified into paddles.

- We saw a colony of seals resting on the rocks near the harbour.
- The researchers monitored the migration patterns of the elephant seal population along the Antarctic coastline throughout the winter months.

### 2. tight closure

noun · CEFR B1

something that closes a container or joint so that no air or liquid can get out.

For teachers: a device or substance used to join two surfaces together to prevent the escape of a gas or liquid.

- Make sure the rubber seal on the jar is clean before you close it.
- The engineer inspected the airtight seal on the pressure valve to ensure no hydraulic fluid could escape during the test.

### 3. official mark

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a design or piece of wax used to show that a document is official or has not been opened.

For teachers: an embossed emblem, figure, or symbol used as evidence of authenticity or to attest to the formal execution of a document.

- The king pressed his ring into the hot wax to create a royal seal.
- The document bore the official seal of the university, confirming that the degree had been conferred by the academic board.

### 4. military elite

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a member of an elite special forces unit in the US Navy.

For teachers: a member of the United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams, which is the primary special operations force of the US Navy.

- He spent six years serving as a Navy SEAL before becoming a pilot.
- The mission was carried out by a highly trained team of SEALs who specialised in underwater reconnaissance and tactical extraction.

### 5. to close tightly

verb · CEFR B1

to close something very securely so that nothing can get in or out.

For teachers: to fasten or close something securely to prevent leakage or unauthorised access.

- You should seal the envelope before you put it in the post box.
- The technician used a specialised polymer to seal the cracks in the foundation, preventing further water damage to the basement.

### 6. to make final

verb · CEFR B2

to make something certain or final, like a deal or a fate.

For teachers: to establish or settle something definitively; to make a decision or outcome irrevocable.

- The two companies shook hands to seal the deal.
- The late goal in the final minute of the match served to seal the team's victory and secure their place in the finals.

### 7. to brown meat

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to cook the outside of meat quickly at a high heat to keep the juices inside.

For teachers: to brown the surface of meat quickly at a high temperature to develop flavour and texture through the Maillard reaction.

- Seal the steak in a hot pan for two minutes on each side.
- The chef instructed the apprentices to seal the venison loin thoroughly before transferring it to the oven for slow roasting.

Usage: Often used as a synonym for 'sear' in culinary contexts.

## Examples

- The seal swam gracefully through the icy water.
- Check the plastic seal on the bottle to make sure nobody opened it before you bought it.
- While the biological study focused on the migration patterns of the harbor seal, the legal team worked to verify the wax seal on the original 18th-century deed.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.