steller's sea lion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “steller's sea lion” mean?
A very large, eared seal native to the northern Pacific Ocean, characterized by the males' prominent mane.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very large, eared seal native to the northern Pacific Ocean, characterized by the males' prominent mane.
A specific species of sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), the largest of the eared seals, named after the naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller who first described it. It is a top marine predator and a key species in its ecosystem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'behaviour' vs. 'behavior').
Connotations
Identical scientific and conservation connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in zoological, marine biology, or wildlife conservation contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “steller's sea lion” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] Steller's sea lion [VERB]...Researchers are [VERB-ing] Steller's sea lions.A decline in the Steller's sea lion population.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “steller's sea lion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team will continue to monitor the Steller's sea lions hauled out on the rocky shore.
- The programme aims to rehabilitate the injured Steller's sea lion.
American English
- Scientists are tagging Steller's sea lions to track their migration.
- The center successfully released the rescued Steller's sea lion.
adjective
British English
- The Steller's sea lion colony is a protected site.
- We observed distinct Steller's sea lion behaviour.
American English
- The Steller's sea lion population shows signs of recovery.
- A key Steller's sea lion habitat is off the Aleutian Islands.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche eco-tourism or wildlife documentary production.
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, marine science, and conservation literature.
Everyday
Very rare. Would typically be simplified to 'sea lion' unless specific detail is needed.
Technical
The standard term in zoology, wildlife management, and environmental reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “steller's sea lion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steller's sea lion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steller's sea lion”
- Misspelling as 'Stellar sea lion'.
- Incorrect plural: 'Steller's sea lions' (correct), not 'Steller's sea lion'.
- Omitting the apostrophe: 'Stellers sea lion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is 'Steller's', named after the naturalist Georg Steller. 'Stellar' (meaning star-like) is a common misspelling.
They are found in the cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific Ocean, from Japan to California.
Steller's sea lions are significantly larger, lighter in colour (tan to reddish), have a broader head, and make different vocalizations.
They are an apex predator and an 'indicator species', meaning their population health reflects the overall health of the marine ecosystem.
A very large, eared seal native to the northern Pacific Ocean, characterized by the males' prominent mane.
Steller's sea lion is usually technical/scientific in register.
Steller's sea lion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃtɛləz ˈsiː ˌlaɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɛlərz ˈsi ˌlaɪən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a stellar (star-like) giant with a lion's mane, discovered by Mr. Steller. 'Steller's' sea lion has a double 'l' like 'lion'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A KING OF THE COAST: The large, mane-bearing male is often metaphorically described as ruling a rookery or harem.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason for the specific name 'Steller's' in 'Steller's sea lion'?