toothed whale

noun

ˈtütht- How to pronounce toothed whale (audio)
ˈtü-thəd-
: any of a suborder (Odontoceti) of cetaceans (such as a dolphin, porpoise, or killer whale) bearing usually numerous simple conical teeth compare baleen whale

Examples of toothed 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.
Dolphins in turn are a type of toothed whale, a group that also includes porpoises, beaked whales and sperm whales. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024 Jaws vs Leviathan premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT: Orcas and other toothed whales are attacking great white sharks in record numbers, marking the latest chapter in a 60-million-year battle between sharks and whales. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 13 June 2024 Some toothed whales sighted in northeast U.S. waters include pilot whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic white sided dolphins, harbor porpoise and sperm whales. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 10 June 2024 Belugas belong to a group known as toothed whales, which also includes orcas, dolphins and sperm whales—and all members of this group have melons. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for toothed whale 

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toothed whale was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near toothed whale

Cite this Entry

“Toothed whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toothed%20whale. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

toothed whale

noun
: any of a group of whales, dolphins, and porpoises with numerous sharp cone-shaped teeth compare baleen whale

More from Merriam-Webster on toothed whale

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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