Search Dictionary
Definition of bearded seal
bearded seal
Plural:bearded seals
bearded seal Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A medium-sized species of true seal (Erignathus barbatus) found in and near the Arctic Ocean, distinguished by its prominent, abundant whiskers and serving as a vital food source for polar bears and indigenous Arctic peoples.
Example
"The bearded seal relies heavily on drifting pack ice for breeding, resting, and foraging in shallow Arctic waters."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name derives directly from its most distinguishing physical feature: a dense, conspicuous array of long whiskers (vibrissae) on its muzzle that strongly resembles a human beard.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bearded seal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bearded seal