California sea lion
noun
: a small brown sea lion (Zalophus californianus) that occurs especially along the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver Island to Baja California and the Gulf of California and in the Galapagos Islands and that is the seal most often trained to perform in circuses
Examples of California sea lion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adult male Steller sea lions also don’t have a visible sagittal crest (the bump on the top of their heads) that is observed in adult male California sea lions, according to the Marine Mammal Center.
—
Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers — a Steller sea lion roughly three times the size of the California sea lions that typically gather there — has drawn crowds of tourists, viral TikTok videos and a steady stream of nicknames since washing up at the pier.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Adult male California sea lions typically weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds, whereas Steller sea lions can exceed 2,000 pounds, according to NOAA Fisheries.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
With thicker necks and heavier, more robust bodies, Steller sea lions appear much more powerful — almost bear-like — compared to the slimmer, more streamlined California sea lion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Steller sea lions are larger and lighter in color than California sea lions.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Abundant wildlife, including migrating gray whales, harbor seals, and California sea lions, adds to year-round excitement.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
The zoo filed suit on March 17, alleging that Vertix and Barker Rinker Seacast Architecture (BRS) breached their contract by providing substandard work and materials that have led to leaks, rust and broken pumps in the Schlossman Shores habitat, which is home to five California sea lions.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
In addition to the elephant seals, two California sea lions and one southern sea otter have tested positive in San Mateo County.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
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Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers — a Steller sea lion roughly three times the size of the California sea lions that typically gather there — has drawn crowds of tourists, viral TikTok videos and a steady stream of nicknames since washing up at the pier.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Adult male California sea lions typically weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds, whereas Steller sea lions can exceed 2,000 pounds, according to NOAA Fisheries.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
With thicker necks and heavier, more robust bodies, Steller sea lions appear much more powerful — almost bear-like — compared to the slimmer, more streamlined California sea lion.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Steller sea lions are larger and lighter in color than California sea lions.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Abundant wildlife, including migrating gray whales, harbor seals, and California sea lions, adds to year-round excitement.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
The zoo filed suit on March 17, alleging that Vertix and Barker Rinker Seacast Architecture (BRS) breached their contract by providing substandard work and materials that have led to leaks, rust and broken pumps in the Schlossman Shores habitat, which is home to five California sea lions.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
In addition to the elephant seals, two California sea lions and one southern sea otter have tested positive in San Mateo County.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“California sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20sea%20lion. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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