killer whale

noun

Definition of killer whale

: 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

Recent Examples on the Web

The theme park company continues to suffer the ill effects of anti-captivity public sentiment directed largely at the SeaWorld parks’ population of killer whales. — Lori Weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SeaWorld faces possible securities sanctions," 12 Apr. 2018 The major exception is southern-resident killer whales, which remain critically endangered. — Anchorage Daily News, "Whale strandings off Washington-Oregon coast highest in nearly 2 decades," 3 July 2018 The park already has several other similar experiences like the dolphin encounter and killer whales up close tour. — Lori Weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SeaWorld debuts up-close encounters with otters, seals, flamingos — for a charge," 20 June 2018 After more than 3,000 miles, Lummi Nation tribal members delivered their songs and prayers for the release of Lolita the southern-resident killer whale at the Miami Seaquarium where she has been kept for 47 years. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Lummi shut out at Seaquarium; Lolita remains a captive whale," 29 May 2018 The killer whale, it is said, is not often seen so far south. — Johnny Miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "Reporter Randy Shilts announces he has AIDS, 1993," 7 Feb. 2018 The book is packed with facts — from the weight of an octopus (150 pounds) to the length of a killer whale’s teeth (3 to 4 inches), from how deep a harbor seal can dive (1,630 feet) to the life span of a geoduck (168 years). — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "New children’s book dives deep into the Salish Sea," 23 Apr. 2018 The Southern Resident killer whale population is just one population of the black-and-white whales, which worldwide are estimated to number in the tens of thousands. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Pacific Northwest Orca Population Hits 30-Year-Low," 10 July 2018 The major exception is southern-resident killer whales, which remain critically endangered. — Anchorage Daily News, "Whale strandings off Washington-Oregon coast highest in nearly 2 decades," 3 July 2018

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