seal

/ˈsiːl/

• Verb
• to close (something) tightly so that air, liquid, etc., cannot get in or out
1. He sealed the jar.
2. He sealed up the cracks in the wall.
• to close (an envelope, bag, etc.) by sticking or pressing two of its parts together
1. Would you seal this envelope?
• to become closed tightly
1. Make sure the bag seals properly.

• to cover the surface of (something) with a substance that will protect it
1. We used a sealant/sealer to seal the wood to make it waterproof.
• to make (something) definite and final
1. His home run sealed the victory. [=his home run made it certain that his team would win]
2. (informal) They finally sealed the deal. [=they finally reached an agreement and made a deal]
3. 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]
• to prevent someone from going into or through (an area or place)
1. Troops have sealed the border between the two countries.
2. The room/chamber has been sealed and no one can enter.
• to prevent (something that is in something else) from getting out or escaping
1. He seared the steak to seal in the juices.
• to prevent people from entering or leaving (an area or place)
1. Police sealed off the crime scene.
• Noun
• 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
1. The paperwork must have a notary's seal.
• 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
• a device with a raised design that can be pressed into something (such as paper or wax) to make a seal
• 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
1. a rubber seal on the jar
2. The plastic seal on the bottle was broken.
• the state of being closed tightly so that no air, water, etc., can pass through
1. The caulk gives the window an airtight seal.
• an action or statement that shows approval or official acceptance
1. The bill has the President's seal of approval.
2. Fans have given the band's new song their seal of approval. [=fans like the band's new song]
• to make (something) final or definite
1. The goal set the seal on their victory. [=the goal sealed/assured their victory]
• having an official seal that prevents the public from seeing or reading it
1. a document/contract under seal
• a large animal that lives in the sea near coasts, has flippers, and eats fish
• the skin of a seal usually used for fur
1. a jacket made of seal
• a soldier in the U.S. Navy who has special training and belongs to a small group that performs dangerous missions
1. a Navy SEAL