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seal2 [transitive]
1 also seal up to close an entrance or a container with something that stops air, water etc from coming in or out of it : 
The window was sealed shut.
The window was sealed shut.2 if a building, area, or country is sealed, no one can enter or leave it : Authorities plan to seal the border.
Authorities plan to seal the border.3 to close an envelope, package etc by using something sticky to hold its edges in place : He wrote the address and sealed the envelope.
He wrote the address and sealed the envelope.4 to cover the surface of something with something that will protect it : Wooden decks should be sealed to prevent cracking.
Wooden decks should be sealed to prevent cracking.5 to make something, especially something bad, sure to happen : The outbreak of war sealed the government's fate.
seal somebody's fate
The outbreak of war sealed the government's fate.➔ somebody's lips are sealed
at lip (5); ➔ all signed and sealed
at sign2 (6)seal something ↔ in
phrasal verbFry the meat quickly to seal in the juices.seal something ↔ off
phrasal verbFollowing a bomb warning, police have sealed off the whole area.