plural whales
often attributive
1
or plural whale
: any of various very large, aquatic, marine mammals (order Cetacea) that have a torpedo-shaped body with a thick layer of blubber, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, a horizontally flattened tail, and nostrils that open externally at the top of the head
also
: cetacean see baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: one that is impressive especially in size
a whale of a difference
a whale of a good time
whaled; whaling
Synonyms
Examples of whale in a Sentence
Noun
a whale of a pickup truck
Verb (2)
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Wildlife in the ocean, from sea turtles to whales, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can block digestive tracts or cause starvation.
—David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Previous whales with Chediak-Higashi Syndrome have not lived past the age of five.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
So, my 18-day stint in March was at the tail end of the season (the best time to see penguin chicks is the middle of the Antarctic tourism season, late January through February) and filled with whales, molting penguins soon to migrate north, flocks of birds, and ample seals.
—Dalton Johnson, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whale 
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Noun
For large crypto holders, this would be an incredible scheme, a wealth transfer from the government to crypto whales.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Wildlife in the ocean, from sea turtles to whales, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can block digestive tracts or cause starvation.
—David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Previous whales with Chediak-Higashi Syndrome have not lived past the age of five.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
So, my 18-day stint in March was at the tail end of the season (the best time to see penguin chicks is the middle of the Antarctic tourism season, late January through February) and filled with whales, molting penguins soon to migrate north, flocks of birds, and ample seals.
—Dalton Johnson, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whale
Articles Related to whale
Dictionary Entries Near whale
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whale
1 of 3 noun
ˈhwā(ə)l 
ˈwā(ə)l
plural whales or whale
1
: a water-dwelling mammal (as a humpback whale or a killer whale) that is a cetacean of usually very large size with a torpedo-shaped body, front limbs modified into flippers but no hind limbs, and a tail flattened and extended to the sides as flukes and that usually breathes through an opening on top of the head compare baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: something large enough to catch attention
it made a whale of a difference
whale
2 of 3 verb
whaled; whaling
: to hunt whales
Etymology
Noun
Old English hwæl "whale"
Verb
origin unknown
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