seal
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
seals;
sealed;
sealing
seals;
sealed;
sealing
Britannica Dictionary definition of SEAL
1
a
[+ object]
:
to close (something) tightly so that air, liquid, etc., cannot get in or out
— often + up
-
He sealed the jar.
-
He sealed up the cracks in the wall.
b
[+ object]
:
to close (an envelope, bag, etc.) by sticking or pressing two of its parts together
-
Would you seal this envelope?
c
[no object]
:
to become closed tightly
-
Make sure the bag seals properly.
2
[+ object]
:
to cover the surface of (something) with a substance that will protect it
-
We used a sealant/sealer to seal the wood to make it waterproof.
3
[+ object]
:
to make (something) definite and final
-
His home run sealed the victory. [=his home run made it certain that his team would win]
-
(informal) They finally sealed the deal. [=they finally reached an agreement and made a deal]
-
Their decision sealed her fate. = Once they made their decision, her fate was sealed. [=their decision made it certain that something bad or unwanted would happen to her]
4
[+ object]
:
to prevent someone from going into or through (an area or place)
-
Troops have sealed the border between the two countries.
-
The room/chamber has been sealed and no one can enter.
my lips are sealed
seal in
[phrasal verb]
seal (something) in
or
seal in (something)
:
to prevent (something that is in something else) from getting out or escaping
-
He seared the steak to seal in the juices.
seal off
[phrasal verb]
seal off (something)
or
seal (something) off
:
to prevent people from entering or leaving (an area or place)
-
Police sealed off the crime scene.
— sealed
adjective
2
seal
/ˈsiːl/
noun
plural
seals
2
seal
/ˈsiːl/
noun
plural
seals
Britannica Dictionary definition of SEAL
[count]
1
a
:
an official mark that is stamped on paper or on a small piece of wax to show that something (such as a document) is genuine and has been officially approved
-
The paperwork must have a notary's seal.
b
:
a small piece of stamped wax or a small sticker that is put on a letter or envelope to keep it closed or to show that it has not been opened
2
:
a device with a raised design that can be pressed into something (such as paper or wax) to make a seal
3
a
:
a piece of material (such as rubber) that is used on the lid of a container to keep air, water, etc., out of the container or to show the container has not been opened
-
a rubber seal on the jar
-
The plastic seal on the bottle was broken.
b
:
the state of being closed tightly so that no air, water, etc., can pass through
-
The caulk gives the window an airtight seal.
seal of approval
:
an action or statement that shows approval or official acceptance
-
The bill has the President's seal of approval.
-
Fans have given the band's new song their seal of approval. [=fans like the band's new song]
set the seal on
British, formal
:
to make (something) final or definite
-
The goal set the seal on their victory. [=the goal sealed/assured their victory]
under seal
law, formal
:
having an official seal that prevents the public from seeing or reading it
-
a document/contract under seal
plural
seals
plural
seals
Britannica Dictionary definition of SEAL
1
[count]
:
a large animal that lives in the sea near coasts, has flippers, and eats fish
2
[noncount]
:
the skin of a seal usually used for fur
-
a jacket made of seal
