seal

Plural: seals

Noun

• fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
• a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
• the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal
  • "a coat of seal"
• a member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare
  • "SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land"
• a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it)
  • "the warrant bore the sheriff's seal"
• an indication of approved or superior status
• a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
• fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
• any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
• A pinniped (Pinnipedia), particularly an earless seal (true seal) or eared seal.
• A stamp used to impress a design on a soft substance such as wax.
• An impression of such stamp on wax, paper or other material used for sealing.
• A design or insignia usually associated with an organization or an official role.
• Anything that secures or authenticates.
• Something which will be visibly damaged if a covering or container is opened, and which may or may not bear an official design.
• Confirmation or approval, or an indication of this.
• Something designed to prevent liquids or gases from leaking through a joint.
• A tight closure, secure against leakage.
• A chakra.

Verb

Verb Forms: sealed, sealing, seals

• To close or make secure; to confirm or guarantee.
• make tight; secure against leakage
  • "seal the windows"
• close with or as if with a seal
  • "She sealed the letter with hot wax"
• decide irrevocably
  • "sealing dooms"
• affix a seal to
  • "seal the letter"
• cover with varnish
• hunt seals
• To hunt seals.
• To place a seal on (a document).
• To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.
• To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage.
• To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something).
• To close securely to prevent leakage.
• To place in a sealed container.
• To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment.
• To guarantee.
• To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement or plaster, etc.
• To close by means of a seal.
• To bind eternally as family members.
• To form a sacred commitment.
• To fry (meat) at a high temperature to retain the juices.
• To tie up animals (especially cattle) in their stalls.

Examples

• After thinking for half an hour, the champion sealed his move.
• Close the lid tightly to get a good seal.
• He made a brilliant move to SEAL his victory in Words With Friends.
• Her clothes always had her mom's seal of approval.
• I've sealed the bottle to keep the contents fresh.
• I've sealed the documents in this envelope.
• seal one's destiny
• seal someone's fate
• seal the job
• The border has been sealed until the fugitives are found.
• The canister is leaking. I think the main seal needs to be replaced.
• The cover is sealed. If anyone tries to open it, we'll know about it.
• The front of the podium bore the presidential seal.
• The last-minute goal sealed United’s win.
• The result was declared invalid, as the seal on the meter had been broken.
• The seals in the harbor looked better than they smelled.
• They're organizing a protest against sealing.
• to seal a drainpipe with water
• to seal silverware
• to seal weights and measures

Synonyms

cachet, Navy SEAL, seal of approval, seal off, sealing wax, sealskin, stamp, varnish, block, block off, close, close off, enclose, obstruct

Antonyms

unseal

Related Words

aseal, asseal, clapmatch, dolphin, enseal, sea lion, selkie, stamp, vent, walrus, SEALABLE