seal

Formsseals, sealing, sealed

Pluralseals

1. 1
   close tightlyverbtransitive

   To close something tightly so nothing can leak in or out, or so no one can open it secretly.

   Like closing a bag of chips tightly so they don't go stale.

   Seal the jar tightly so the jam stays fresh.

   She sealed the container before putting it in the freezer.

   UsageSay seal the jar tightly.

   Similarclose, shut, plug, cap

   Oppositeopen

   Note
2. 2
   marine mammalnouncountable

   A sea animal with flippers that usually lives in cold oceans and eats fish.

   Like a dog that swims, with smooth flippers instead of legs.

   A seal slid off the rock and dove into the cold water.

   The seals barked loudly along the rocky shore all morning.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A part, often rubber, that closes a gap tightly so air or water cannot get through, or the tight closure it makes.

   Like the rubber ring on a jar lid that keeps air out.

   The seal around the fridge door keeps the cold air inside.

   A worn seal let oil drip onto the garage floor.

   Similargasket, washer

4. 4
   make certainverbtransitive

   To make something so certain that it cannot change.

   Like locking a door so nothing can change what is inside.

   Her brilliant performance sealed the win for the team.

   One more goal will seal the match.

   UsageSay seal the deal when an agreement becomes final.

   Similarclinch, secure, settle, confirm, cement

   Note
5. 5
   official emblemnouncountable

   An official mark or symbol that stands for an office, group, or government.

   Like a logo that shows which company something comes from.

   The letter carried the official seal of the city.

   You can see the school's seal on every diploma.

   Similaremblem, insignia, crest, stamp

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To cover wood, stone, concrete or another surface with a coat that keeps out water and stains.

   We need to seal the deck before the rainy season starts.

   Dad sealed the stone floor so coffee spills wouldn't leave marks.

   Similarwaterproof

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   A stamp with a design pressed into soft wax to close or mark a letter, or the mark it leaves.

   Like a cookie cutter, but pressed into soft wax to leave its shape.

   The king pressed his seal into the warm wax.

   She kept an old brass seal in her desk drawer.

   Similarstamp, signet, imprint

   Note
8. 8
   approvalnounfigurativelycountable

   Something that shows that a thing is approved, real or certain, as in 'a seal of approval'.

   Like a gold star a teacher gives for good work.

   The teacher gave her science project a seal of approval.

   Getting his father's seal of approval meant the world to him.

   UsageSay something has your seal of approval.

   Similarstamp, mark

   Note
9. 9
   guard against tamperingnouncountable

   A strip or cover that breaks or tears if a container is opened.

   Like the plastic wrap on a bottle that tears when you first open it.

   Don't buy the medicine if the seal is broken.

   She peeled back the seal on the new jar of coffee.

   UsageSay break the seal when you open a sealed container.

   Note
10. 10
    block accessverbtransitive

    To block a place so that people or vehicles cannot get across or through.

    Like closing a gate so no one can walk through.

    Police sealed the road after the accident.

    Soldiers seal the border during the night.

    UsageSay police sealed off the area.

    Similarclose, block, obstruct

    Oppositeopen, reopen

    Note
11. 11
    verbtransitivelaw

    To officially hide court or police records from the public, usually because a judge orders it.

    The judge agreed to seal the records from his trial as a teenager.

    Her lawyer asked the court to seal the case.

    Oppositeunseal

    Note
12. 12
    hunt for furverbintransitive

    To go out hunting seals for their fur, meat, or oil.

    Like fishing, but going after seals instead of fish.

    Their grandfathers used to seal along the icy coast each spring.

    Every spring, my grandfather went sealing on the ice near Newfoundland.

    Note

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