whaler

noun

whal·​er ˈ(h)wā-lər How to pronounce whaler (audio)
1
: a person or ship engaged in whale fishing
2

Examples of whaler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The novel was inspired by both his experience as a whaler and the Essex tragedy. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Fin whales are hunted by commercial whalers, which has dwindled their population, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025 But based on the financial success of its previous voyages in search of sperm oil—a high-quality lighting oil derived from the spermaceti organ in the head of the sperm whale—it was considered a desirable, even lucky, ship by local whalers. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 Of the 20 or 21 whalers who left Nantucket on the Essex, only eight survived. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whaler 

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whaler was in 1684

Dictionary Entries Near whaler

Cite this Entry

“Whaler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whaler. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

whaler

noun
whal·​er ˈhwā-lər How to pronounce whaler (audio)
ˈwā-
: a person or ship that hunts for whales

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