killer whale
noun
: a relatively small toothed whale (Orcinus orca of the family Delphinidae) that is black above with white underparts and white oval-shaped patches behind the eyes, attains a length of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), typically hunts in groups, and preys chiefly on sea mammals (such as seals, sea lions, and other whales), large fish, and squid
called also orca
Examples of killer whale in a Sentence
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One, larger killer whales are probably able to slap and stun fish more effectively, due to their tails having a greater surface area.
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
In a first, scientists have observed Southern Resident killer whales collecting stalks of seaweed and using them to massage each other.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
They were taken safely to shore by the Spanish coastguard after the killer whales attacked their boat's rudder around two miles from the town of Deba, near Bilbao, according to several local media reports.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Though euthanasia is considered a last resort, every other attempt to help the false killer whales has been unsuccessful, said marine biologist and deputy incident controller Kris Carlyon in the same statement.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
In a first, scientists have observed Southern Resident killer whales collecting stalks of seaweed and using them to massage each other.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
They were taken safely to shore by the Spanish coastguard after the killer whales attacked their boat's rudder around two miles from the town of Deba, near Bilbao, according to several local media reports.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Though euthanasia is considered a last resort, every other attempt to help the false killer whales has been unsuccessful, said marine biologist and deputy incident controller Kris Carlyon in the same statement.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer whale
Cite this Entry
“Killer whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20whale. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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