# sealed

/ˈsiɫd/ (US) · /sˈiːld/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. closed tightly

adjective · CEFR B1

closed so tightly that air, water, or dirt cannot get inside.

For teachers: fastened or closed securely to prevent the passage of air, liquid, or other substances.

- Keep the coffee in a sealed container so it stays fresh for longer.
- The forensic team recovered several sealed glass jars from the basement, each containing chemical residues that had been preserved for decades.

### 2. final or certain

adjective · CEFR B2

officially decided and impossible to change.

For teachers: firmly established or decided in a way that is considered final or unalterable.

- Once the judge signed the papers, their fate was sealed.
- The victory in the northern provinces effectively sealed the outcome of the election, leaving the opposition with no path to a majority.

### 3. paved road

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect

a road that has a smooth, hard surface like asphalt.

For teachers: describing a road surface that has been paved with asphalt, bitumen, or concrete.

- The map showed that the main highway was a sealed road all the way to the coast.
- The tour bus struggled on the gravel tracks, but the driver promised we would reach a sealed road within the hour.

Usage: Commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the UK to distinguish from dirt roads.

## Examples

- She sealed the envelope before going to the post office.
- The workers sealed the windows with plastic to keep the cold air out during the winter storm.
- The two nations finally sealed the trade agreement after months of intense negotiations, ensuring a stable economic partnership for the next decade.

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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.