seal off

verb

sealed off; sealing off; seals off

transitive verb

: to close tightly

Examples of seal off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The time capsule is meant to remain sealed off until after the park celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2045, in time for Parton’s 100th birthday. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 The 11 Pro Fold has an IP68 rating, which means it's sealed off from dust and can be submerged in about 5 feet of water for 30 minutes. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 At the press conference, NASA added the situation is under control as Roscosmos agreed to essentially seal off that area. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Extremist Israeli settlers attacked the home for days and the Israeli military has now sealed off the area. — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seal off

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seal off was in 1931

Rhymes for seal off

See All Rhymes for seal off

Browse Nearby Words

seal of approval
seal off
seal oil
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seal off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seal%20off. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

seal off

verb
: to close tightly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All