killer whale

noun

: a relatively small toothed whale (Orcinus orca of the family Delphinidae) that is black above with white underparts and white oval-shaped patches behind the eyes, attains a length of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), typically hunts in groups, and preys chiefly on sea mammals (such as seals, sea lions, and other whales), large fish, and squid

called also orca

Examples of killer whale 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.
Under these circumstances, killer whales have been known to hunt and prey on moose. Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The technology found 303 of them in Peru, depicting parrots, cats, monkeys, killer whales, and more. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024 But with binoculars trained on the horizon, the boat’s captain is on the lookout for something potentially far more unsettling: orcas, also known as killer whales, who in recent years have taken to slamming boats with alarming regularity. Josh Lederman, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2024 The interactions, so far, have remained isolated to a small population of killer whales found off the coast of Spain and Portugal. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for killer whale 

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of killer whale was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near killer whale

Cite this Entry

“Killer whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20whale. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

killer whale

noun
kill·​er whale
ˈkil-ər-
: a flesh-eating mostly black toothed whale 20 to 30 feet (about 6 to 9 meters) long that travels in groups

More from Merriam-Webster on killer whale

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!