walrus

noun

wal·​rus ˈwȯl-rəs 

ˈwäl-

plural walrus or walruses

: a large gregarious marine mammal (Odobenus rosmarus of the family Odobenidae) of arctic waters related to the seals that has limbs modified into webbed flippers, long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled hide, stiff whiskers, and a thick layer of blubber

Note: The male walrus may reach a weight of over 3700 pounds (1678 kilograms). Walrus typically inhabit moving pack ice and usually feed on organisms (such as clams and mussels) living on or near the ocean's bottom. Walrus of the northern Atlantic are considered a separate subspecies (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the somewhat larger northern Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).

Examples of walrus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Respondents gave the lowest ratings for living rooms and novelty backdrops (example: a walrus in front of an iceberg). —thehustle.co, 1 Nov. 2024

Along the northern horizon, the Oscura mountain range reclined like a brown walrus in the sunlight. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024

Still, the variability based on diet suggests the bears are picking up most of the pathogens from their prey, which consists of seals, walruses and whales. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Clients, who have included journalists and filmmakers, might tag along on a rhino-tagging excursion in Rwanda, search for Arctic foxes in Greenland, or view polar bears and walruses in Svalbard, Norway. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Dutch, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian hvalros walrus, Old Norse rosmhvalr

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

walrus

noun

wal·​rus ˈwȯl-rəs 

ˈwäl-

plural walrus or walruses

: a large mammal of cold northern seas that is related to the seals and has long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled hide with a thick layer of blubber below, stiff whiskers, and flippers used in swimming, diving, and moving about on land