pinniped

noun

pin·ni·ped ˈpi-nə-ˌped

: any of an order or suborder (Pinnipedia) of aquatic carnivorous mammals (such as a seal or walrus) with all four limbs modified into flippers

pinniped adjective

Examples of pinniped in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

But not everyone loves the pinnipeds. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025 The pinnipeds that crashed my first night on the island were probably not affected much. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 There’s even a whole suborder of carnivores called the pinnipeds, which includes seals, sea lions, and walruses who move between land and water. — Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 18 Mar. 2026 Patty Leonard, the aquarium’s associate curator of pinnipeds, confirmed as much. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinniped

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin pinna + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pinniped was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pinniped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinniped. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pinniped

noun

pin·ni·ped ˈpi-nə-ˌped

: any of a group of mammals (as seals, sea lions, and walruses) that typically live in oceans but bear their young on land or on floating sheets of ice, have front and hind flippers, and eat other animals (as fish)

pinniped

noun

Examples of pinniped in a Sentence

Word History

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