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

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, southern resident killer whales are critically endangered and federally protected both in the United States and Canada, with a total population of just 74 whales. —Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 23 June 2025

Two years ago Miral built on this model with SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the marine park brand’s first indoor outpost and the only one which isn't home to killer whales. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

This includes killer whales, humpbacks and fin whales. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 11 June 2025

Seen from above, these geoglyphs depict birds, llamas, killer whales armed with weapons, decapitated human heads and more. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for killer whale

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

killer whale

noun

kill·​er whale

ˈkil-ər-

: a flesh-eating mostly black toothed whale 20 to 30 feet (about 6 to 9 meters) long that travels in groups