whale shark

noun

: a shark (Rhincodon typus) of warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton strained by its gill rakers, may sometimes attain a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

Examples of whale shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thankfully, many safari outfitters offer dynamic itineraries—think pairing the quintessential South African safari with a surreal stint in Namibia or a blue safari grand finale in Mozambique filled with whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and dugongs—designed to engage animal lovers of all ages. —Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025

When not being hunted, whale sharks can live to 150 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

However, the presence of industrial infrastructure is not without risks for whale sharks. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

The orcas appear to be targeting the whale sharks’ ventral side–the area near their bellies. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

whale shark

noun

: a harmless shark of warm waters that feeds chiefly on plankton, may sometimes grow to a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish