mako shark

noun

ma·​ko shark ˈmā-(ˌ)kō- How to pronounce mako shark (audio) ˈmä- How to pronounce mako shark (audio)
: either of two relatively slender mackerel sharks (Isurus paucus and I. oxyrinchus) that are dark blue above and white below with long pointed snouts and that are notable sport fish

called also mako

see shark illustration

Examples of mako shark 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 researchers concluded that a white shark or shortfin mako shark must have munched on their pregnant porbeagle and ingested the tag temporarily. Evan Bush, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024 The research turned into a scientific murder mystery, and two likely suspects appeared in the waters where the porbeagle disappeared: great white and shortfin mako sharks. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024 In some cases — bull sharks, mako sharks and baby sand tiger sharks, for example — sharks will even eat their own species. Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024 The denticles of the mako shark can flex at angles more than 40 degrees from its body—but only in the direction of reversing flow (i.e., from tail to nose). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mako shark 

Word History

Etymology

Maori mako mako shark

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mako shark was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near mako shark

Cite this Entry

“Mako shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mako%20shark. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mako shark

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!